Reflection for March 16, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”  

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”  

They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.  

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus? Obviously it’s not our title/s or any worldly appendages. What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus is our readiness to humbly serve without seeking any recognition in return. This is what makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus.  

Why do we follow Jesus in the first place? Is it for us to be exalted in the community where we belong? Is it for us to have influence? Do we make Jesus happy when we use Him for us to be exalted and influential? Of course not! But this is where we always fall! We use Jesus as our springboard for us to be exalted and respected.  

Can’t we simply fade away in silence after we’ve served our church or after we’ve done good to our fellowmen? Can’t we simply fade away and let our gentle and merciful God be in front so that He could attract more believers?  

Many of us are afraid to be humble because we perceive humility as weakness. But truth be told, our humility is powerful very powerful that it creates endless echoes in the hearts of those who see it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 16 Miyerkules sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 20:17-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:17-28

17 Nang umakyat si Jesus sa Jerusalem, isinama niya ang Labindalawa, at habang nasa daan ay sinabi niya sa kanila: 18 “Papunta na tayo sa Jerusalem. Doon ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa mga punong-pari at mga guro ng Batas na maghahatol sa kanya ng kama­tayan. 19 Kaya ibibigay nila siya sa mga pagano para pagtawanan, hagupitin at ipako sa krus. Ngunit babangon siya sa ikatlong araw.”   

• 20 Lumapit noon kay Jesus ang ina nina Jaime at Juan kasama ng dalawa niyang anak, at lumuhod sa harap niya para makiusap. 21 Tinanong siya ni Jesus: “Ano ang ibig mo?” At sumagot siya: “Narito ang dalawa kong anak. Iutos mong maupo ang isa sa iyong kanan at ang isa naman sa iyong kaliwa sa iyong Kaharian.”   

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa magkapatid: “Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi. Ma­iinom ba ninyo ang kalis na iinumin ko?” Sumagot sila: “Kaya namin.” 23 Suma­got si Jesus: “Totoong iinom din kayo sa aking kalis, ngunit wala sa akin ang pag­papaupo sa aking kanan o kaliwa. Para sa mga hinirang ng Ama ang mga lugar na iyon.”   

24 Nang marinig ito ng sampu, nagalit sila sa magka­patid. 25 Kaya tinawag sila ni Jesus at sinabi: “Alam ninyo na sinusupil ng mga naghahari ang kani­lang mga bansa at inaapi ng mga nasa kapang­yarihan. 26 Hindi naman ganito sa inyo: ang may gus­tong maging dakila, siya ang maging lingkod ninyo; 27 ang may gustong mauna sa inyo, siya ang maging alipin ninyo. 28 Gayun­din naman, duma­ting ang Anak ng Tao hindi para pag­ling­kuran kundi para mag­lingkod at ibigay ang kanyang buhay bilang pantubos sa marami.”

1Reflection for March 15, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.  

All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.  

Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Are you a true follower of Jesus? 

A true follower of Jesus is someone who is simple. He doesn’t   think highly of himself neither he isolates himself in an ivory tower so that others would look up to him. A follower mingles and interacts with the people, he doesn’t throw judgment on anyone regardless who they may be.  

A true follower lives and breathes humility, its part and parcel of his way of life. How then can we be humble, how then can we live and breathe humility and how then can we make it our way of life? We always have to do things with the end in mind that everything that we do we do for the greater glory of God. We don’t do things for our own glory or glorification, we don’t do things for us to be praised to high heavens.  

Many of the Pharisees during Jesus time had a mentality of superiority perhaps this was because they were the ruling power. They love to give commands, they love to be looked up to and they crave for prominence and respect. Servanthood and humility were farthest from their minds.   

From time to time we need to ask ourselves, Am I a true follower of Jesus? Or I’m becoming more like the Pharisees who always seek prominence, honor and attention. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 15 Martes sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad: 2 “Ang mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo ang umupo sa puwesto ni Moises. 3 Pakinggan at gawin ang lahat nilang sinasabi pero huwag silang pamarisan, sapagkat nagsasalita sila pero hindi naman ginagawa. 4 Naghahanda sila ng mabibigat na pasanin at ipi­napatong sa mga balikat ng mga tao. Ngunit hindi nila ikinikilos ni isang daliri para galawin ang mga iyon.  

5 Pakitang-tao lamang ang lahat nilang ginagawa; dahil dito, mala­lapad na laso ng Kasulatan ang gusto nila para sa kanilang noo, at maha­habang pala­wit sa kanilang bala­bal. 6 Gusto nilang mabigyan ng pangu­nahing lugar o upuan sa mga pi­ging at sa sina­goga. 7 Ikina­tutuwa rin nilang mabati sa mga liwasan at matawag na guro ng mga tao.  

8 Huwag kayong patawag na guro sa­pagkat iisa lamang ang Guro ninyo at magkakapatid kayong lahat. 9 Huwag din ninyong tawaging ama ang sinuman sa mundo sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Ama, siya na nasa Langit. 10 Huwag din kayong patawag na gabay sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Pat­nubay, si Kristo. 11 Maging alipin ninyo ang pinakadakila sa inyo. 12 Sapagkat ibababa ang nag­papa­ka­taas at itataas ang nagpa­paka­baba.

Reflection for March 14, Monday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38  

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful, just as 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:

Are you merciful, forgiving and not quick to judge?  

Jesus gives us precious lesson about being merciful because He is always merciful to us. No matter how sinful we are His unfathomable mercy is always there before us.  

Jesus gives us lesson about being judgmental: We are not to judge because we are to be judged too. On hindsight who are we to judge our fellowmen? We are but a speck in this world and we are sinners as well. Do we judge because we are moneyed, more educated and more powerful?  

Jesus tells us not to condemn, instead of condemning, why not motivate and be an instrument of healing and conversion? We may not know this but our words are very powerful if we are quick to condemn. We might push to the brink of desperation those that we condemn and the result may be tragic.  

On forgiveness, Jesus tells us to always be forgiving.  Why are there people who cannot forgive? Perhaps the love of Jesus is not yet in their hearts, when we don’t forgive we are only punishing ourselves with undeserved burden. So, we have to let go of our anger and unforgiveness, we have to forgive and leave everything to our merciful God.  

On giving, Jesus tells us to give from our hearts not from our excess because many of us give for the reason that we don’t need it anymore. Let us give from our hearts because whatever we freely give will be ploughed back to us a hundredfold.    

Let us reflect on these priceless insights from Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 14 Lunes sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 6:36-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:36-38

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad 36 Maging maawain kayo gaya ng inyong Amang maawain. 37 Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan; huwag ninyong sum­pain ang sinuman, at hindi kayo susum­pain; mag­patawad kayo, at kayo’y patata­wa­rin. 38 Magbigay kayo, at kayo’y bibig­yan – isang saganang takal, siksik, liglig at umaapaw ang mabu­buhos sa inyong kandungan. Sapag­kat susukatin kayo sa sukatang gina­gamit ninyo.”

Reflection for Sunday March 13, Second Sunday of Lent: Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

A carefree young man had a car accident that nearly cost him his life. During his recovery he carefully discerned the implication of that accident to his life and he said to himself: “I need to change my lifestyle otherwise I would die. That car accident was his moment of transfiguration. Hence, he became responsible, he shunned his undesirable friends and he served as a catechist in their parish church.  

Have you already had your own moment of transfiguration?

In the transfiguration of Jesus at the mountain of tabor the three disciples: Peter, James and John saw firsthand how Jesus was transfigured. From a mortal like them Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29).

What was going on before the three apostles went to the mountain to witness Jesus transfiguration? The three were with the Lord doing their mission. They witnessed many miracles being performed by Jesus. Yet, Jesus also told them that He would soon suffer and be put to death by His persecutors (Luke 9:22).

Upon hearing from Jesus that He was going to suffer perhaps the three had a low morale. They can’t believe that this is going to happen to their Lord and master. And with this premise Jesus brought them to the mountain of tabor for them to know and see His real identity. And for the three of them to know what awaits them if they would be faithful to their mission until the end.

With their witness of Jesus transfiguration, the three apostles were also transfigured albeit in a different manner. Their witness of Jesus transfiguration energized their sagging spirits. It boosted their motivation to continue to move forward with their sacred mission of evangelization.

At what stage are you in your life right now? Are you facing your own share of challenges? Don’t give up, remember that this is just temporary. In the end there will be a price that awaits you and that is to be with Jesus in heaven someday.

 Let the transfiguration of Jesus energize you, strengthen you and let it give you hope. So that you too could be motivated by the powerful transfiguration of Jesus as you move ahead with your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas         

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 13, Ikalawang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 9:28b-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:28b-36

28  Isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Juan at Jaime at umahon sa bundok para manalangin. 29 At ha­bang siya’y nananalangin, nagbago ang anyo ng kanyang mukha at puting-puting nag­ningning ang kanyang damit. 30 May dalawang lalaki ring nakikipag-usap sa kanya, sina Moises at Elias. 

31 Napakita sila sa kaluwalhatian at pi­nag-uusapan nila ang paglisan ni Jesus na malapit nang maganap sa Je­ru­salem. 32 Antok na antok naman si Pedro at ang kanyang mga kasama pero pagkagising nila, nakita nila ang kanyang kaluwalhatian at ang dalawang lalaking nakata­yong kasama niya. 

33 Nang papalayo na ang mga iyon kay Jesus, sinabi ni Pedro sa kanya: “Guro, mabuti at narito tayo; gagawa kami ng tatlong kubol, isa sa iyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias.” Hindi niya alam ang kanyang sinasabi. 34 Nagsasa­lita pa siya nang may ulap na lumilim sa kanila; at natakot sila pagpasok nila sa ulap. 35 At narinig mula sa ulap ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.” 

36 Pagkasalita ng tinig, nag-iisang na­kita si Jesus. Nang mga araw na iyon, sinarili nila ito at walang sinabi kani­nu­man tungkol sa nakita nila.

Reflection for March 12, Saturday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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 Reflection:

What is the truest form of love? It’s a love that doesn’t discriminate a love that embraces everybody including those who are not lovable to our eyes. The beauty of loving even those who do not love us is we show them what true love is all about. True love that emanates from Jesus Himself.  

When we love even those who are not lovable we don’t only give them our unconditional love. We also teach them to give love, never mind if they will not love us in return. What is important is we teach them the language of unconditional love so that they would learn from it and hopefully be converted by it.  

But is unconditional love still relevant today? For many of us today love is a two way street: You love me and I give you love in return if you will not love me I will not give you my love. But if this is our mentality the language of true love will not anymore have life. There would be no more true love and true sacrifice for the person that we love.  

True love or unconditional love therefore is to love without any condition/s and to love without expecting love in return. Hard to do, right? But if we truly love Jesus we would be able to freely give love, love which is not bound by the laws of reciprocity.  

How do you love? – Marino  J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 12 Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 43 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi: Ma­ha­lin mo ang iyong kapwa at kamuhian ang iyong kaaway. 44 Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: Mahalin ninyo ang inyong ka­away, at ipagdasal ang mga umuusig sa inyo. 45 Sa ganito kayo magi­ging mga anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sa­pagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa kap­wa ma­sama at mabuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa kapwa makatarungan at di-maka­tarungan.  

46 Kung mahal ninyo ang nagma­mahal sa inyo, bakit kayo gagantim­palaan? Di ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga kolektor ng buwis? 47 At kung ang mga kapatid ninyo lamang ang inyong bina­bati, ano ang na­iiba rito? Di ba’t gina­gawa rin ito ng mga pagano? 48 Kaya maging ganap kayo gaya ng pagiging ganap ng inyong Amang nasa langit.   

Reflection for March 11, Friday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into 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 with him. 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.”

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Reflection:

A man who was full of anger in his heart suddenly died. When he was about to enter the pearly gates The angels who were guarding refused him entry.  When the man asked, why? The  angels told Him that when he was still alive his heart was full of anger and arrogance.  

Death is uncertain it may come to us anytime.  What if we suddenly die with our hearts full of anger and arrogance?  Many have been brought to perdition by anger and arrogance yet many of us still don’t learn our lesson. Anger and arrogance are emotional disease that originates from our egos, high sense of ourselves and our lack of humility.    

In our gospel we find Jesus giving us lessons on humility. He tells us: 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 with him (Matthew 5:23-25).  

It’s not easy to imbibe humility but if we only know that humility makes us closer to Jesus. If we only know that humility would save us a lot of trouble even grievous ones. We would not think twice to practice and imbibe humility we may even run after it and cling to it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 11 Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 5:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:20-26

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad sinasabi ko sa inyo na kung hindi mas ganap ang inyong kabanalan kaysa sa mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo, hin­ding-hindi kayo makapapasok sa Kaha­rian ng Langit.   

21 Narinig na ninyo na sinabi sa in­yong mga ninuno: Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang pumatay ay lilitisin. 22 Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo: Ang sinu­mang magalit sa kanyang kapa­tid ay lilitisin. Ang sinumang manuya sa kan­yang kapatid ay lilitisin sa Sanggunian. At ang sinumang manghiya sa kanyang kapatid ay nara­rapat lamang itapon sa apoy ng impiyerno.  

23 Kaya sa paglalagay mo sa altar ng iyong hain at naalaala mong may reklamo sa iyo ang kapatid mo, 24 iwan mo muna ang iyong hain sa harap ng altar at puntahan mo ang iyong kapatid para maki­pagkasundo sa kanya. At saka ka bumalik at ialay ang iyong hain sa Diyos.  

25 Makipagkasundo na sa iyong kaaway habang papunta pa kayo sa hukuman, at baka ipaubaya ka niya sa hukom na magpapaubaya naman sa iyo sa pulisya na magkukulong sa iyo. 26 Talagang sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas hang­ga’t di mo nababaya­ran ang kahuli-hulihang sentimo.

Reflection for March 10, Thursday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 7:7-12

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  

Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.  

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Reflection:

Do you have a regular prayer time with God? 

You always open yourself to God’s unfathomable graces and blessings when you ask Him, when you seek Him and when you knock on His heart. These actions are signs of your humility before God and you recognize God’s superiority over anyone else in this world and you signify your need of Him.  

Those who deeply believe would eternally ask Jesus, eternally seek Jesus and eternally knock on the heart of Jesus. They will never stop even if Jesus seems to be deaf to their pleadings. Why?  This is for the reason that they have an inherent need of God because God is at the center of their universe.  

When God created us, He created us with the need to love Him yet many of us have the tendency to disregard it for the reason that we think that we can exist in this world without loving Him. But the truth of the matter is we cannot peacefully exist in this world without God.  

God is good all the time, if you ask and He doesn't give it to you yet. If you seek and you have not found it yet and if you knock and the door has not been opened for you yet. Dont give up, continue to storm the heavens with your prayers.  

Soon enough, God will grant your heart’s desire, for the key to have what you want is in not giving up no matter how hard and gloomy the road that lies ahead. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 10 Huwebes sa Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 7:7-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 7:7-12

Noong panahong iyon 7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, humingi at kayo’y bibigyan; magha­nap at matatagpuan ninyo; kumatok at bubuksan ang pinto para sa inyo. 8 Talaga ngang tumatanggap ang humi­hingi, naka­kakita ang naghahanap, at pagbu­buksan ang kuma­katok.    

9 Sino sa inyo ang magbibigay ng bato sa kanyang anak kung tinapay ang hinihingi nito? 10 Sino ang magbi­bigay ng ahas kung isda ang hinihingi nito? 11 Kahit masama kayo, marunong kayong magbigay ng mabu­ting bagay sa inyong mga anak. Gaano pa kaya ang inyong Amang nasa Langit? Mag­bibigay siya ng mabubuting bagay sa mga hihingi sa kanya.  

12 Kaya gawin ninyo sa iba ang gusto ninyong gawin sa inyo, ito ang nasa Batas at Mga Propeta.

1Reflection for March 9, Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

How would you react if somebody tells you to mend your ways and repent from all of your sinfulness? Will you not feel insulted and antagonized? Many of us would feel insulted and antagonized because the call for us to mend our ways is prophetic and true.  

We get angry when others tell us to repent and walk away from all of our sinfulness but why get angry when they are telling the truth? Why get angry when those who are telling us to mend our ways are only concerned for our own well-being?   

Many listened to Jesus during His public ministry but many did not listen as well. In fact very few listened to Jesus among the high and mighty because they loved sin more than the wise counsel of Jesus.   Isn’t this happening today? Many of us love sin (disguised as pleasure/s) more than we love Jesus?  

This is the paradox of our social media driven times today. Many of us today give more time to our high-tech gadgets than listen to Jesus by reading His words. Many of us have more time with our earthy undertakings than have our important quite time with Jesus. What will happen to us if we don’t anymore listen to Jesus?  

Let us listen more to Jesus and let us listen to His call of repentance. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for March 8, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

(Jesus said to his disciples) “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ 

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

How do you pray? 

Do you pray with a set of structured prayer such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be and many other prayers? Nothing is wrong with these prayers for it brings you closer to God. What is important is, when you pray you dive inside your prayer this means that your whole being is in communion with your prayer. 

There is no wrong either with our spontaneous/personal prayers for these are prayers that originate deep in our hearts.  Our whole beings should always with our prayers and by doing so we establish our connection with the God. 

So we know how to pray and that is very good! But let us think about the many others who do not know ho w to pray (There are many of them). Perhaps we can make it our mission in life to teach them how to pray and in the process introduce them to Jesus. 

Let us do something about this and let us also share this prayer that was taught by Jesus to His disciples. We become productive followers of Jesus when we pay forward whatever we know about Jesus most especially this prayer that HE taught us to pray. 

Have you shared the Our Father prayer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Marso 8, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad pag mananalangin kayo, huwag ka­yong magsalita nang magsalita gaya ng ginagawa ng mga pagano; nani­niwala nga sila na mas paki­kinggan sila kung marami silang sina­sabi. 8 Huwag kayong tumulad sa kanila. Alam ng inyong Ama ang mga panganga­ila­ngan ninyo bago pa man kayo humingi.  

9 Kaya, ganito kayo manalangin: Ama naming nasa Langit, sambahin ang Ngalan mo, 10 dumating ang Kaharian mo, sundin ang loob mo         dito sa lupa para nang sa Langit. 11 Bigyan mo kami ngayon ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw, 12 patawarin mo ang aming mga pagkakautang  gaya ng pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakautang sa amin. 

13 Huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso, at iligtas mo kami sa Masama. 14 Kung patatawarin ninyo ang mga nag­kasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa Langit. 15 At kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang mga nag­ka­sala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama. 

 

Reflection for March 7, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'  

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.'  

Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'  

Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?' He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.' And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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Reflection:

Last February 24, on orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin the Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. There was no provocation whatsoever the Ukranians were living in peace when their nation was suddenly attacked by the Russian forces with missiles, tanks and other hardware of war and destruction. Thousands have died already, houses are being bomb indiscriminately and President Putin even threatened to use Russia’s nuclear weapons to countries that would help Ukraine. By starting an unnecessary and unprovoked war Putin who is a dictator is acting like he is the king of the world.  

Do we have the kingship of Christ in our hearts right now? If our answer is yes, it is therefore incumbent upon us not to have a dictatorial and tyrannical mindset and attitude. This is for the reason that Jesus Christ was never a dictator. Jesus never exercised His authority with iron fist, He exercised His authority and power with love, gentleness and humility.  

Christ kingship is already here and now.  It resides in our hearts and minds if we are like those placed on the right side of the king. This happens when we feed those who are hungry and thirsty when we help a stranger at our doorstep.  

When we care for the sick, when we visit those in prison. When we forgive those who have wronged us no matter how deep the wound that they have inflicted upon us. When we do all of these we make Jesus the king of our lives and His kingdom is already within us.  

Is Jesus the King of your life?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday March 6, First Sunday of Lent: Luke 4:1-13

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” 

Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me,  and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” 

Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.

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Reflection:

What do you see in the forty days temptation of Jesus in the desert? Do you see that the devil is powerful too? Yes indeed, the devil is also powerful he can entice us to follow him through his many temptations. Temptations that are very hard to resist for those who are disconnected from God. And for those who seldom pray and for those who have superficial faith.

What do you see in Jesus? Do you see the intense connection of Jesus with God and the Holy spirit? Before Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, Jesus was baptized first by John in the river Jordan and in the process of His baptism He prayed to God and the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended to Him and God said to Jesus, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased (Luke 3:21-22).” 

Temptations are part and parcel of our life so as the devil, it’s always there ever ready to sow temptation for us to sin. Yet the love, guidance and protection of God are also always there for us it has not left us since we were baptized. It’s ours to own and take!

We can always ward off whatever temptation the devil may sow upon our way if we always have a connection with God. This we can do best through our prayers, our pious presence at Holy Mass and our reading and meditation of the words of God in the bible. 

As we begin our forty days journey this lent. The good Lord is always reminding us that He is just a prayer away from us. He is always by our side ever and always ready to protect us from the many temptations of the devil. 

Are you always connected with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 6, Unang Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda para sa pasko ng Pagkabuhay: Lucas 4:1-13

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:1-13

Noong panahong  iyon, 1 Umalis mula sa Jordan si Jesus na puspos ng Espiritu Santo at naglibot sa disyerto na akay ng Espiritu 2 sa loob ng apatnapung araw; at sinubok siya roon ng diyablo. Hindi siya kumain ng anuman sa loob ng mga araw na iyon at sa katapusa’y nagutom siya. 3 Sinabi sa kanya ng diyablo: “Kung ikaw ang anak ng Diyos, iutos mo sa batong ito na maging tinapay.” 4 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Hindi sa tinapay lamang nabu-buhay ang tao.”

5 Pagkatapos ay itinaas niya si Jesus at ipinakita sa kanya sa isang kisap-mata ang lahat ng kaharian sa mundo. 6 Sinabi ng diyablo sa kanya: “Sa iyo ko ibibigay ang kapangyarihan sa lahat ng ito at ang kaluwalhatiang kalakip nito dahil sa akin ito ipinagkatiwala at maibibigay ko ito sa maibigan ko. 7 Kaya mapapasaiyo itong lahat kung magpapatirapa ka sa harap ko.” 8 Ngunit sumagot sa kanya si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Ang Panginoon mong Diyos ang iyong sasambahin at siya lamang ang iyong paglilingkuran.” 

9 Pagkatapos ay dinala siya ng diyablo sa Jerusalem at itinayo siya sa nakausling pader ng Templo at sinabi sa kanya: “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, tumalon ka mula rito paibaba 10 sapagkat sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Iniutos niya sa kanyang mga anghel na pangalagaan ka at 11 bubuhatin ka nila para hindi matisod ang iyong paa sa bato.” 12 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Nasasaad: Huwag mong hamunin ang Panginoon mong Diyos.” 13 Kaya matapos siyang subukin ng diyablo sa lahat ng paraan, nilisan siya nito hanggang sa takdang panahon.

Reflection for March 5, Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.   

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”

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Reflection:

Who are the modern day sinners that Jesus wants to call to repentance? It’s no other than us, we are sinners; we sin through our thoughts, actions and words. Like the tax collector Levi, Jesus calls us to follow Him, to leave behind us our sinfulness.  

Why does Jesus calls us to follow Him? Because he wants to build a deeper friendship with us. And this would only happen if we would choose to respond to His call. Rather than respond to the call of the devil who always calls us to sin.  

When we respond to the call of Jesus we ensure ourselves of a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean that the moment we say yes to Jesus we would be free from worries and trials. We would still have our own share of trials and worries. Yet in the midst of our worries and trials we will feel the abiding presence of Jesus in our lives.   

If we decide to follow Jesus there would be people who will despise and perhaps belittle us. But we have nothing to worry with those who will despise us. What is most important is we choose to leave behind our sinfulness in favor of Jesus’ call.  

To leave behind our sinfulness is not easy to do because the devil will not easily let us go until we get destroyed by sin.  Nevertheless, nothing is impossible for Jesus all He asks us is our yes and our firm desire to leave behind our sinfulness.  

Lest we forget, a sinful life is a life in union with the devil and a sinful life is a problem filled life. Problem/s that is presented to us as pleasurable in the eyes of this world but would only destroy us in the end. Let us therefore respond to this call of Jesus. 

Would you respond to the Lord’s call? – Marino J. Dasmarinas