Reflection for March 24, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

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

In the gospel for today, even if there was a threat to His life Jesus still secretly went to Judea to attend the Feast of the Tabernacle. He courageously spoke in the temple area at the risk of His life. Where does His courage comes from? It originates from His deep passion for His mission and His oneness with God. 

Let us also aspire to have the same passion and oneness with God. So that we would also have the courage to express what we want to say on how God has made a big difference in our life. So that we would be able to face and overcome whatever problems and trials that may come our way.   

A good way to start is to have a regular time for God. Through our daily readings of his words in the bible, through our presence at Holy Mass and through our prayers. 

If we do these acts of worship and piety we surely would develop a deep friendship and oneness with Jesus. And the result is we will have the courage to live His teachings, to share it and even preach it. 

A faithful follower should live and preach the teachings of Jesus. If he/she can't preach it because not everyone has the gift of preaching he/she must live it. For this is one of the many marks of a faithful follower of Jesus.  

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

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 24, Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Noong panahong iyon, nilibot ni Jesus ang Galilea; iniwasan niya ang Judea, sapagkat ibig siyang patayin ng mga Judio roon. Nalalapit na ang Pista ng mga Tolda, isang pista ng mga Judio. Pagkaalis ng kanyang mga kapatid, si Jesus ma'y pumunta rin sa pista, ngunit hindi hayagan. 

Sinabi ng ilang taga-Jerusalem, "Hindi ba ito ang taong gusto nilang patayin? Hayan! Lantaran siyang nagsasalita, ngunit wala silang sinasabi laban sa kanya! Baka naman nakilala ng mga pinuno na siya nga ang Mesias! Walang makaaalam kung saan magmumula ang Mesias pagparito niya, ngunit alam naman natin kung saan nagmula ang taong ito!" 

Kaya't nang nasa templo si Jesus at nagtuturo, malakas niyang sinabi, "Ako ba'y nakikilala ninyo? Alam ba ninyo kung saan ako nagmula? Hindi ako naparito sa ganang akin lamang. Ang Totoo ang siyang nagsugo sa akin, ngunit hindi ninyo sila nakikilala. Nakikilala ko siya, sapagkat ako'y mula sa kanya, at siya ang nagsugo sa akin." Tinangka nilang dakpin siya; ngunit walang nangahas, sapagkat hindi pa niya oras.

1Reflection for March 23, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:31-47

Gospel: John 5:31-47

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

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

There would be instances that you would be ridiculed. It doesn’t matter anyway because everything is worth it for Jesus including the ridicules and chastisement. You may not immediately see the fruits of your witnessing for Jesus but in His own perfect time you shall harvest those fruits. 

In our gospel Jesus mentions John the Baptist who prepared the way for Him. John told those who were acclaiming him to be the messiah that he was not. He told them that somebody greater is to come after him and He was none other than Jesus.  

John was an effective witness for Jesus because he did not grab the credit that was only due for the Lord. He was content to fade away so that Jesus would be highlighted more. With John’s witness for Jesus we are educated about lessons on witnessing and humility.   

That humility is one of the best if not the best virtue that we could harness so that we can effectively bring and lead others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 22, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:17-30

Gospel: John 5:17-30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you believe in the oneness of God the Father and God the Son? 

We can best summarize the first half of Jesus pronouncements in the gospel as, “Like father like son.” We believe this because Jesus is the second person in the Trinity. He is the word made flesh (John 1:14). 

Since we look up to Jesus as the founder and leader of our faith it is without doubt that we are His followers. But are we worthy followers of Jesus? Yes, we believe His pronouncements in the gospel about His oneness with the Father. But do we translate this belief or this adherence to actual actions of faith? 

 For example, do we extend help if there’s someone in need? Do we speak the truth when we need to speak the truth? Do we always embody the great virtue of humility? Do we live what read about the pronouncements of Jesus? 

Do we live the preaching of Jesus? For example, if a spouse who went ashtray would ask for your forgiveness and wants to reconcile with you. Will you forgive and reconcile? Or you will already slam the door and lock it permanently with unforgiveness? - Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for March 21, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:1-16

Gospel: John 5:1-16

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Imagine that Jesus is in front of you and He tells you this question: “Do you want to be well?” How would you reply? Of course you will say, Yes, I want to be well! After which Jesus will tell you, then go humble yourself before me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Then you tell Jesus some other time Jesus I’m busy right now and then with the passing of days you eventually forgot about the command of Jesus to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

Many of us want to get closer to Jesus and we want to be healed by Jesus. Yet we don’t bother to humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament we are healed from our spiritual sickness brought about by our many sins. And we may not know it that through the Lords infinite power we are also healed from our many physical sickness. 

When we humble ourselves through this healing sacrament we allow Jesus to wash away all our sins no matter how severe. We entrust ourselves to the infinite mercy of Jesus. Saint John Paul II once said:  "Confession is an act of honesty and courage - an act of entrusting ourselves beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God."  

The disabled man in our gospel for today who had been sick for thirty eight years was instantly healed by Jesus because he obeyed His command. The disabled man did not care if it was a Sabbath day, a day of rest for them. What was important for him was to obey the command of the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Reflection for Monday March 20, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

Can you imagine what would have happened if Saint Joseph did not cooperate with the plan of God? For example, if he pursued his plan to quietly divorce the Blessed Mother. What would have happened then? 

But in his humility and docility Joseph listened to God, thus he discontinued his plan to quietly divorce Mary. He instead brought her home to shield her from public scandal. Such is Joseph a Godly man, a man who valued the voice of God dearly. Saint Joseph did not only assume his responsibility, he also ensured that his family would be protected from any harm. 

When He was told by an angel to bring his family to Egypt because of the threat against Jesus he brought them to Egypt (Matthew 2:13).  When he was told once again by the angel that they could now safely return to Israel he did so without asking any question (Matthew 2:20).  

Let us be inspired by the life of Saint Joseph: His humility, his willingness to listen to the voice of God. His unconditional love and protection for his wife and child. His character of being a responsible spouse and parent. 

Let us therefore reflect on how we carry out our roles as parents most especially as a father and spouse. Do we listen to the voice of God who at all times tell us to be a good father. Good father means that we give more time to our children because this is how it must be for them to be properly guided as they grow up. 

Many fathers today hardly have time for their children but they can create time for their social media exposure. Many fathers today find it difficult to find precious time for their wives but they have time for their friends.   

Saint Joseph is reminding us to straighten up our priorities which is no other than our respective families. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for Sunday March 19, Fourth Sunday of Lent: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

Gospel: John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" — which means Sent —. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is, " but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am."

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see." So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them.

So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."  They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.

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Reflection:

Imagine yourself being blind, you see nothing except darkness, then suddenly you are able to see! How would you feel about it? Of course you would feel indescribable joy because you’re now able to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings.

This was how the blind man must have felt when his blindness was cured by Jesus. He felt an overwhelming joy that he never felt before in his entire life. Aside from the physical blindness the man was also healed from his spiritual blindness. 

But why did Jesus heal the blind man in the first place? This is for the reason that Jesus found faith and humility in this blind man. Jesus would have not healed him if he did not have faith and humility.

 Jesus saw something from the blind man that is not visible through the naked eye. Jesus saw that in the heart of this blind man lies the two golden virtues which are faith and humility. This is what is oftentimes lacking within us that is why we don’t receive what we pray for.

Does this mean that this blind man had been praying for healing long before Jesus saw him? Yes! He had been praying so that he would be cured of his blindness, praying with faith and praying with humility. 

Do you have faith in the Lord Jesus? Faith that is very much willing to abandon yourself upon the mercy and goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you have humility? Humility to follow without question what the Lord tells you? 

Let us pray for healing regarding our lack of faith and let us pray for healing regarding our lack of humility. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 19, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Apatnapung araw na Paghahanda: Juan 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

Mabuting Balita: Juan 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 

Noong panahong iyon: Sa paglalakad ni Jesus ay may nakita siyang isang lalaking ipinanganak na bulag. At si Jesus ay lumura sa lupa at gumawa ng putik. Ipinahid niya ito sa mata ng bulag. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Pumunta ka sa deposito ng tubig sa Siloe." "Maghilamos ka roon." Gayon nga ang ginawa ng bulag at nang magbalik ay nakakikita na.

Sinabi ng mga kapitbahay niya at ng mga nakakita sa kanya noong siya'y namamalimos pa, "Hindi ba iyan ang lalaking dating nagpapalimos?" Sumagot ang ilan, "Iyan nga!" "Hindi! Kamukha lang," wika naman ng iba. At sumagot ang lalaki, "Ako nga po iyon."

Dinala nila sa mga Pariseo ang dating bulag. Araw ng Pamamahinga nang gumawa si Jesus ng putik at padilatin ang bulag. Tinanong din siya ng mga Pariseo kung paano siya nakakita. Sinabi niya sa kanila, "Pinahiran niya ng putik ang aking mga mata, naghilamos ako pagkatapos, at ngayo'y nakakikita na ako." Ang sabi ng Hari sa mga Pariseo, "Hindi mula sa Diyos ang taong iyan, sapagkat hindi niya ipinangingilin ang Araw ng Pamamahinga." Ngunit sinabi naman ng iba, "Paanong makagagawa ng ganitong kababalaghan ang isang makasalanan?" At hindi sila magkaisa ng palagay.

Kaya't tinanong nila uli ang dating bulag, "Ikaw naman, yamang pinadilat ni Jesus ang iyong mga mata, ano naman ang masasabi mo tungkol sa kanya?" "Siya'y isang propeta!" sagot niya. Sumagot sila, "Ipinanganak kang makasalanan at ikaw pa ang magtuturo sa amin?" At siya'y itiniwalag nila.

Nabalitaan ni Jesus na ang lalaking pinagaling niya ay itiniwalag ng mga Pariseo. Kaya't tinanong niya ang lalaki nang matagpuan niya ito, "Sumasampalataya ka ba sa Anak ng Tao?" Sumagot ang lalaki, Sino po ba siya, Ginoo? Sabihin ninyo sa akin, upang ako'y manampalataya sa kanya." "Siya'y nakita mo na. Siya ang nakikipag-usap sa iyo," ani Jesus. Sumasampalataya po ako, Panginoon!" sabi ng lalaki. At sinamba niya si Jesus.

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

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. 

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

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Reflection:

Is humility the weakness of God? 

We see in the gospel the humility of the tax collector. He humbly admitted to God his own sinfulness. He was very much aware that before God he was nothing and deserves nothing. This was the reason why the tax collector went home possessing the favor of God. 

The secret therefore to gain the favor of God is humility and awareness of our own shortcomings and limitations. The tax collector who gained the favor of God was truly aware of his own sinfulness. He did not attempt to hide it from God, did he know that God knows everything about him? Perhaps he did not know, what he was sure of was his own sinfulness that’s why he humbly asked mercy from God.

It is a given fact that the humble has the eyes and ears of God. The humble doesn’t only gain the favor of God he also gains the respect of his fellowmen. Many of us do not want to be humble because we see it as weakness. But humility is not a weakness it’s actually a strength! For the simple reason that those who are humble are more respected than those who are not.  

However, to become humble before Jesus and our fellowmen is not easy. For the reason that this entails sacrifice and swallowing of our bloated egos. This entails awareness that we have nothing to be proud of before the presence of God. 

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton once said: “The gate of Heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” We therefore have to be humble if we want to gain entry to heaven. We therefore have to be humble if we want to gain the favor and guidance of God. And we therefore have to be humble if we want to gain the respect of our fellow men and women. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 17, Friday of the Third Week of Lent: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." 

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

Long time ago in a certain neighborhood there was a family who would always go to church to worship God. They never miss to attend Sunday Mass and they regularly give to their church. Thus, they were greatly admired by their church community.  

But upon going home they belittle and berate their maids when they commit mistakes. They also look down on their poor neighbors because they are too rich and educated. 

What is the best expression of our love for God? It’s to love our fellowmen no matter who they are, no matter if they are rich or poor and no matter if they've done us good  or not. This is the best expression of our love for God: To love our fellowmen without any discrimination. 

How can the love of God be with us and how can we say that we love God if we look down on the poor and downtrodden?  If we only love those who are lovable to our eyes? 

The Sun shines in the morning for everyone of us, it doesn’t discriminate, poor, rich, educated, not educated bad or good. Hence, our love for our neighbor must also be. Why? Because we profess to love God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for March 16, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 11:14-23

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

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

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

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

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Reflection:

Is the devil real?  

The devil is real and he's a pervading influence in our society and in our political system as well. This is the reason why every now and then we get to hear stories of killings, corruption and abuse of authority of political leaders not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. 

In the same vein, the devil is also an insidious presence inside the family. This is the reason why there are separation and infidelity inside the marriage covenant. Who can defeat the influence of the devil in our society’s political system and in our respective families? It’s Jesus and our practice of our faith in Jesus.  

Many of us profess to be believers in Jesus and many of our politicians are graduates of catholic schools. Yet there are plunderers and killers in government nowadays, yet there are many broken families. Why is this so? This is for the reason that many of us are believers in name only. Many of us attend Holy Mass but we don’t live the grace of Holy Mass.  

If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take root deep into our bones, our country would be progressive. If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take center stage in our respective families there would also be less broken marriages.  

Let us think about how many times we have betrayed our faith in Jesus. In exchange for the salivating offers of Satan which sooner or later will only destroy us. We therefore have to immediately reject Satan the moment it manifest itself upon us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for March 15, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

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

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

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Reflection:

What is life without Jesus? It’s barren, chaotic and without peace. What is life without following the laws of God? It’s the same as well.  Jesus comes into our lives to make it meaningful, peaceful and productive. Not meaningful, peaceful and productive in the eyes of our fellowmen but meaningful and productive in His eyes.   

When we break the laws of God we also distance ourselves from the love of Jesus. For example, if a politician shows in his public image that he is a follower of Jesus. He will not break the law by stealing money from the coffers of the government, etc.  

 He will not break the law of God by siding with those who are espousing anti life/poor laws such as legalization of abortion, death penalty and the like. Otherwise, he is only using Jesus to serve his own hidden agenda. Same goes for a priest/man of God who professes to follow Jesus. He/she should not break the law by engaging in sexual or homosexual relationships.  

There’s always a reward that awaits those who follow the laws of God. And there’s always a reward that awaits those who follow Jesus and His commandments. It may not be the reward that we expect it to be but there would certainly be a reward. 

How about those who violate the law/s? Of course, the wrath of God will be due them sooner or later. Why? Because that is the unwritten law of the universe. - Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 14, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. 

When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ 

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. 

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! 

I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about an unforgiving man who would always harbor resentment towards those who have hurt him. Be unforgiving was always his attitude towards those who did him wrong until he had a heart attack. After he recovered from his sickness, he decided not to keep any resentment anymore and he subsequently felt like a bird freed from a cage.   

Is it normal for us to harbor resentment/anger? Yes of course for we are humans with emotions. But we must not let our anger/resentment control us by allowing it safe harbor in our hearts for so long. Therefore, after that moment wherein we let our feeling of resentment control us let us quickly allow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness to take over our selfish and destructive feelings.  

In the gospel Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?"  Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). 

This is a very simple yet very effective teaching about forgiveness for us from Jesus. In other words the Lord is saying to us that we should always be forgiving. It’s normal for us to be hurt but let us not allow these hurtful feelings to control and to wound us permanently. Hence, we can only be freed from the vicious control of anger which by the way comes from the devil, if we forgive those who have hurt us. 

What if we don’t forgive? We are only hurting ourselves if we don’t forgive and we only put ourselves in an invisible prison cell called unforgiveness. And then this unforgiveness will sooner or later bring us down until we self-destruct.   

What if we follow Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, how would we feel?  We feel light and free and we have no burden in our hearts. Don’t we all want to feel light, to feel free and without any burdens and hurtful feelings in our hearts? 

There are two options before us: To follow Jesus’ teaching on infinite forgiveness or we continue to punish and burden ourselves by unforgiveness. The wisdom filled choice is to follow Jesus’ teaching. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 14, Martes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit si Pedro at nagtanong kay Hesus, “Panginoon, makailan kong patatawarin ang aking kapatid na paulit-ulit na nagkakasala sa akin? Makapito po ba?” Sinagot siya ni Hesus, “Hindi ko sinasabing makapito, kundi pitumpung ulit pa nito. 

Sapagkat ang paghahari ng Diyos ay katulad nito: ipinasiya ng isang hari na pagbayarin ang kanyang mga lingkod na may utang sa kanya. Unang dinala sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung milyung piso. Dahil sa siya’y walang ibayad, iniutos ng hari na ipagbili siya, ang kanyang asawa, mga anak, at lahat ng ari-arian, upang makabayad. 

Nanikluhod ang taong ito sa harapan ng hari at nagmakaawa: ‘Bigyan pa ninyo ako ng panahon, at babayaran ko sa inyo ang lahat.’ Naawa sa kanya ang hari kaya ipinatawad ang kanyang mga utang at pinayaon siya. “Ngunit pagkaalis niya roon ay nakatagpo niya ang isa sa kanyang kapwa lingkod na may utang na limandaang piso sa kanya. 

Sinunggaban niya ito at sinakal, sabay wika: ‘Magbayad ka ng utang mo!’ Naglumuhod iyon at nagmakaawa sa kanya: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon at babayaran kita.’ Ngunit hindi siya pumayag; sa halip ipinabilanggo niya ang kanyang kapwa lingkod hanggang sa ito’y makabayad. Nang makita ng kanyang mga kapwa lingkod ang nangyari, sila’y labis na nagdamdam; pumunta sila sa hari at isinumbong ang nangyari. 

Kaya’t ipinatawag siya ng hari. ‘Ikaw – napakasama mo!’ Sabi niya. ‘Pinatawad kita sa utang mo sapagkat nagmakaawa ka sa akin. Nahabag ako sa iyo; hindi ba dapat ka ring mahabag sa kapwa mo?’ At sa galit ng hari, siya’y ipinabilanggo hanggang sa mabayaran niya ang kanyang utang. Gayun din ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Amang nasa langit kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang inyong kapatid.