When Jesus
had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you, no
slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who
sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not
speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that
the Scripture might be fulfilled, The one who ate my food has raised his heel
against me. From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it
happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives
the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent
me.”
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Reflection:
Are you
afraid of suffering and betrayal?
In His
humanity, our Lord Jesus also felt fear—He, too, trembled at the thought of
suffering and betrayal. Yet these fears did not stop Him from fulfilling the
mission entrusted to Him by the Father. Instead, they deepened His resolve.
Amidst the overwhelming pain and loneliness, He pressed on—out of love for us.
He never gave up, no matter how heavy the burden, for He knew He had a mission
to accomplish.
Marriage
often begins like a beautiful rose garden—full of promise, joy, and sweetness.
Everything seems perfect, even heaven-sent. But as time passes, trials begin to
unfold. Challenges arise, wounds are inflicted, and at times, sacred vows are
betrayed. What then should we do? Do we turn our backs and walk away in defeat?
Or do we stay, carry the cross, and fight for the sacredness of our covenant
before God?
We are called
to remain—to endure and to love even through pain. Just as Jesus remained
faithful to His mission despite the agony and betrayal, we, too, are invited to
remain faithful to our vocation, especially in marriage. Imagine if Jesus had
given up on us. He could have turned away—He is God, all-powerful, and free.
But He stayed. He endured. Why? Because of His love for all of us.
Sadly, many
couples today choose the easier path when their marriage is tested. Some give
in to betrayal; others walk away entirely, forgetting the sacred vows they once
made—vows not just to each other, but before God. In doing so, they also forget
the deep impact on their children and family.
But let us
look to Jesus. He never walked away from His mission. He embraced His suffering
for the sake of love. He carried the weight of our sins and conquered
betrayal—not with anger or resentment, but with divine mercy and unwavering
commitment.
May we, too,
find the grace to carry our own crosses. May we draw strength from Jesus, who
shows us that love is proven not in comfort, but in sacrifice. — Marino J.
Dasmarinas
