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Monday, March 11, 2024
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 13, Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:17-30
Reflection for March 12, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:1-16
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:
How does it feel to be sick? Those who got sick already
would answer that it doesn’t feel good to be sick for you feel weak and can’t
function properly. Absurd as it may sound but sickness is sometimes God’s gift
to us for it’s through our sickness that we get to know God more deeply. It’s
through our getting sick that we are reawakened of the presence of God. And
it’s through our getting sick the we learn how to pray more deeply.
The blind man in the gospel had this kind of experience. He
was beside the pool waiting for someone to help him immerse in the pool. He
didn’t know Jesus thus he did not ask Jesus to heal him. Jesus by Himself
desired to appear to this man and He healed him right there. If the man was not
sick Jesus would not have appeared to him.
It’s through our sickness often times that Jesus strongly
manifest Himself to us. Through our getting sick we get a clearer picture of
who Jesus is. If Jesus healed the man in the gospel without asking for it,
would He not heal us as well? We who know Him and we who always pray to
Him.
There's always a silver lining when we get sick, we may not
know it immediately but there's certainly a silver lining. And the silver
lining is to have that golden opportunity to know Jesus more deeply.
Do you always call on Jesus to heal you when you are sick? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 12, Martes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:1-16
Ang maunang lumusong pagkatapos
makalawkaw ang tubig ay gumagaling, anuman ang kanyang karamdaman. Doon ay may
isang lalaking tatlumpu't walong taon nang may sakit, at siya'y nakita ni
Hesus. Alam nitong matagal nang may sakit ang lalaki. Tinanong siya ni Hesus,
"Ibig mo bang gumaling?" Sumagot ang maysakit, "Ginoo, wala pong
maglusong sa akin kapag nakalawkaw na ang tubig; patungo pa lamang ako roon ay
may nauuna na sa akin."
Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus,
"Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan, at lumakad ka." At
pagdaka'y gumaling ang lalaki, dinala ang kanyang higaan, at lumakad. Noo'y
Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya't sinabi ng mga Judio sa lalaking pinagaling,
"Araw ng Pamamahinga ngayon! Labag sa Kautusan na dalhin mo ang iyong
higaan." Ngunit sumagot siya, "Ang nagpagaling sa akin ang nagsabing
dalhin ko ang aking higaan at lumakad ako."
At siya'y tinanong nila, "Sino ang nagsabi sa iyong dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at lumakad ka?" Ngunit hindi nakilala ng lalaki kung sino ang nagpagaling sa kanya, sapagkat nawala na si Hesus sa karamihan ng tao. Pagkatapos, nakita ni Hesus sa loob ng templo ang lalaki at sinabihan, "Magaling ka na ngayon!
Huwag ka nang magkakasala at baka may mangyari sa iyo na lalo pang masama." Umalis ang lalaki at sinabi sa mga Judio na si Hesus ang nagpagaling sa kanya. Dahil dito, si Jesus ay sinimulang usigin ng mga Judio, sapagkat nagpagaling siya sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.
Thursday, March 07, 2024
Reflection for March 11, Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent: John 4:43-54
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time
Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household
came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee
from Judea.
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Reflection:
The story is told about a woman who was praying to have a boyfriend she however did not get what she wanted from the Lord. So she did not pray anymore and permanently distanced herself from God. For the simple reason that she did not get what she was praying for.
For many of us miracles are very important anchor of our faith in Jesus. For example, the royal official’s son in the gospel who was cured by Jesus; he and his household believed immediately because his son was healed.
What if Jesus tested their faith? Would they still believe even if there was no occurrence of healing? Perhaps they will not, and then the father would have searched for someone else who could heal his son.
Our discipleship in Jesus or our faith in Jesus must not only be anchored on miracles alone. It must be based on our deep friendship with Him. Regardless if we’ve experienced miracles or not, immaterial if we gained material blessings or not we must continue to believe, follow and have faith in Him.
We have in Jesus a friend who will always
be honest with us. There will be times when He will say no to us. Let us not be
disheartened by these rejections from Him, for He always knows what’s best for
us. Let us remember that it’s not us who knows what is best for us; it’s always
Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 11, Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 4:43-54
Monday, March 04, 2024
Reflection for Sunday March 10, Fourth Sunday of Lent: John 3:14-21
Gospel: John 3:14-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the
verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the
light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be
exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may
be clearly seen as done in God.
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Reflection:
Why do some people decide to end their lives? There are many reasons, but perhaps one of those reasons is the lack of knowledge about the infinite love of God. If only they knew beforehand the encompassing love of God, they wouldn’t dare decide to end their lives.
This is the tragedy of our modern times: many of us strive to learn how to use high-tech smartphones, navigate social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and so forth. Yet, many also fail to exert any effort to understand the great love of God freely offered to each and every one of us
For instance, consider our Sunday Holy Mass obligation. If we attend Holy Mass with fidelity and devotion, the Holy Spirit will open our minds so that we may come to know the redemptive and salvific love of God. Unfortunately, many fail to prioritize this sacred Sunday Holy Mass obligation.
God’s love for us is encompassing. For example, if someone committed a mortal sin such as abortion or adultery. Does this make the person already unloved by God? The love of God is by no means constrained by our sins even mortal sins. For God’s love is always there for us, it’s ours to take, so to speak. We have to own this love of God that He freely gives to us.
What kind of love is this that God gives us so
freely? It is a salvific love and a redemptive love—a love that saves sinners
like you and me. Yes, we sin every so often, but our sins do not diminish the
salvific and redemptive love that God has for us.
During this season of Lent, let us wholeheartedly embrace the encompassing, salvific, and redemptive love of God by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para Linggo Marso 10, Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 3:14-21
Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat sinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.
"Hindi hinahatulang maparusahan ang nananampalataya sa Anak ng Diyos; ngunit hinatulan nang parusahan ang hindi nananampalataya sa kanya. Hinatulan sila sapagkat naparito sa sanlibutan ang ilaw, ngunit inibig pa ng tao ang dilim kaysa liwanag, sapagkat masama ang kanilang mga gawa.
Ang gumagawa ng masama ay ayaw sa ilaw, at hindi lumalapit dito upang hindi mahayag ang kanyang mga gawa. Ngunit ang namumuhay sa katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw; sa gayon, nahahayag na ang kanyang mga ginagawa'y pagsunod sa Diyos.
Reflection for March 9, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 18:9-14
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 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
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Reflection:
Have you
tried practicing the virtue of humility? When you practice humility all things
will be alright with you. For example, you will not anymore harbor resentment
and anger towards anyone and your day will be free from any form of
stress.
You will have
a positive disposition, you will be able to accept whatever that may come to
you even humiliation and trials no matter how severe. Your fellowmen will
silently look up to you and admire you without you noticing it.
Humility
therefore is like an effective medicine that cures us: it cures us of our
arrogance, our need for attention and most importantly it brings us an
awareness of our own sinfulness and our need to get close and be forgiven by
God.
In the
gospel, Jesus gives us the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector that
went to the temple to pray. The tax collector obviously wants to live a new
life, and he wants to be reconciled with God. Moreover, he obviously wants to
be cured of his sinfulness that’s why he humbly submitted himself to God and
God did not disappoint the tax collector.
We have
everything to gain and nothing to lose if we decide to imbibe and live
humility. We will have a positive disposition, we will have peace and
contentment and most importantly we will gain the forgiveness of our merciful
God.
Are we ready to abandon ourselves to God by humbly acknowledging our own sinfulness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 9, Sabado sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 18:9-14
Makalawa
akong nag-aayuno sa loob ng sanlinggo; nagbibigay ako ng ikapu ng lahat kong
kinikita. Samantala, ang publikano'y nakatayo sa malayo; hindi man lamang
makatingin sa langit, kundi dinadagukan ang kanyang dibdib, at sinasabi: 'O
Diyos, mahabag po kayo sa akin na isang makasalanan!' Sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang
lalaking ito'y umuwing kinalulugdan ng Diyos, ngunit hindi ang isa. Sapagkat
ang sinumang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."
Reflection for March 7, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 11:14-23
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:
Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and savior? In
the gospel for today, after casting out the demon from a man, Jesus was accused
of being one with the demons. They obviously did not believe in Jesus as their
Lord and savior. They also can’t believe that Jesus is capable of performing
this miracle with good intentions in His heart. Otherwise, they would not have
accused Him of being one with the demons.
Who is one with the demons? Is it Jesus or the ones
who refuse to believe in Him? There are only two options that we have in this
world to believe in Jesus or not to believe in Jesus. To believe means that we
should walk the path of Jesus for we can’t say that we believe yet we don’t
walk the path of Jesus. Those who don’t believe are those who are vulnerable to
the company and possession of the devil.
Many of the people of today are like those in the time
of Jesus who did not believe in Him. For what reasons? Perhaps they are so
obsessed with their own selves. That they regard themselves as somebody who
know better than Jesus that’s why they don’t believe. Or they believe but they
don’t follow the teachings of Jesus.
But the consequence of not believing in Jesus is
enormous. First and foremost is they invite the devil to possess them. And once
they are already possessed by the devil they now are capable of doing evil
without any guilt of conscience.
This is the reason why there are mothers who abort
their unborn child without any guilt of conscience. This is the reason why
there are married couples who engaged in adulterous relationships without guilt
of conscience. They are capable of doing these despicable acts because they’ve
allowed themselves to be possessed by the devil.
But there’s still hope for as long as there are people like you who believe in Jesus. People like you who will stand for the teachings and values of Jesus. People like you who will value the gift of life more than the evil of abortion and wicked convenience.
And people like you who will respect the sanctity of the marriage covenant and not succumb to wicked, evil and lustful desires enticed by the devil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 7, Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 11:14-23
May iba namang nais siyang subukin, kaya't nagsabi,
"Magpakita ka ng kababalaghang magpapakilala na ang Diyos ang sumasaiyo.
Ngunit batid ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya't sinabi sa kanila,
"babagsak ang bawat kahariang nahahati sa magkakalabang pangkat at
mawawasak ang mga bahay roon.
Kung maghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili, paano
mananatili ang kanyang kaharian? Sinasabi ninyong nagpapalayas ako ng demonyo
sapagkat binigyan ako ni Beelzebul ng kapangyarihang ito. Kung ako'y
nagpapalayas ng demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, sino naman ang nagbigay ng
kapangyarihan sa inyong mga tagasunod na magbigay na makagawa ng gayon?
Sila na rin ang nagpapatunay na maling-mali kayo. Ngayon,
kung ako'y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng
Diyos, nangangahulugang dumating na sa inyo ang paghahari ng Diyos.
"Kapag ang isang taong malakas at nasasandatahan ay nagbabantay sa kanyang bahay, malayo sa panganib ang kanyang ari-arian. Ngunit kung salakayin siya at talunin ng isang taong higit na malakas, sasamsamin nito ang mga sandatang kanyang inaasahan at ipamamahagi ang ari-ariang inagaw.
"Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at nagkakalat ang hindi tumutulong sa aking mag-ipon.
Reflection for March 6, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 5:17-19
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 will happen to us if we would always observe the
Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) and the two greatest commandments that
Jesus gave us (Matthew 22:36-40)? We surely would move closer to Jesus, we
would grow in faith and there would be peace in our lives.
This is the price that awaits those who would observe
the laws of God. Without close observance of God’s commandments there would
also be no close relationship with God. Observe those who don’t follow the
commandments of God or observe your very own self when you don’t follow God’s
commandments. What kind of life do you have? Isn’t a life of chaos, disturbance
and endless problems?
Therefore the key to friendship with God is our
faithful observance of His commandments. But human as we are we are subject to
our own frailties. We fall and sin every once in a while and thus we are
temporarily separated from the love of God.
However Jesus also instituted the Sacrament of
Reconciliation so that whenever we sin we have a recourse out of sin. But even
if we have a recourse let us not abuse it by saying that, we will sin because
there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation anyway.
Let us always be conscious that sin separates us from
the love of God. We therefore have to endeavor to always remain within the
ambit of the love of God. Hence, we always have to despise sin in whatever
forms and shapes because this is the only path for us to live a peaceful life in this world. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 6, Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:17-19
Kaya't sinumang magpawalang-halaga kahit sa kaliit-liitang bahagi nito, at magturo nang gayon sa mga tao, ay ibibilang na pinakamababa sa kaharian ng Diyos. Ngunit ang gumaganap ng Kautusan at nagtuturo na tuparin iyon ay ibibilang na dakila sa kaharian ng Diyos."
Reflection for March 5, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 18:21-35
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:
Why is it that many of us are not able to forgive? This is
for the reason that we think highly of ourselves and we think that we are
superior than the person who sinned against us. Unforgiveness also emanates
from our arrogance, pride and lack of humility. Unforgiveness is also a sign
that we love ourselves more than we love Jesus.
If we truly love Jesus and if we really are humble we would
be forgiving no matter how deep the wound that had been inflicted upon us. For
example, if a wayward spouse would ask for forgiveness we would think deeply
upon it and would eventually forgive.
If we continue to harbor hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts, we are only creating an invisible prison cell within ourselves—a prison cell that perpetually punishes and enslaves us.
In the gospel, Peter asked Jesus: “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 (Matthew
18:21-22). This simply means that forgiveness should be never-ending or limitless.
Those who are humble, compassionate and those who deeply
love Jesus are the only ones capable of unlimited forgiveness. Are you
forgiving? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 5, Martes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 18:21-35
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.
Sunday, March 03, 2024
Reflection for March 4, Monday of the Third Week in Lent: Luke 4:24-30
It was to
none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the
land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of
Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the
Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with
fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the
hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he
passed through the midst of them and went away.
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Reflection:
How does God
give His blessings? God gives His blessings to anyone that He pleases and
He surely doesn’t play the game of favoritism.
If God has
favorites among us because we are prayerful or because we attend Holy Mass and
do noble acts. Our worship for God would now be motivated by our actions
focused to get His favor. Therefore our worship for God is not anymore
motivated by our love for Him. It’s now rather motivated by the result that we
want from Him.
In the gospel
Jesus shared the story of a Syrian named Naaman who was sick with leprosy.
There were also many lepers in Israel around that time but God chose to heal a
non Israelite named Naaman.
Jesus cited
the story of Naaman to send a strong message to those who were listening to Him
in the synagogue. That they cannot gain God’s favor by means of their
self-serving acts of piety or worship for God that has selfish
motivations.
This is a
good point of reflection for all of us for we may be doing things for God with
selfish motives. Or we do things for God and our fellowmen because we want
something in return from God.
For example
we would say to God, I will serve you but I request you to bless my family in
return. But this is not how it is because our ways is not God’s ways, we cannot
force God to do something because we want Him to do it for
us.
When we do
acts for God let us make sure that we primarily do it because of our deep love
for God. No other motives than our deep love for God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 4, Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 4:5-42
May
isang Samaritanang dumating upang umigib. SInabi ni Hesus sa kanya, “Maari bang
makiinom?” Wala noon ang kanyang mga alagad sapagkat bumili ng pagkain sa
bayan. Sinabi sa kanya ng Samaritana, “Kayo’y Judio at Samaritana ako! Bakit
kayo humihingi sa akin ng inumin?” Sapagkat, ‘hindi nakikitungo ang mga Judio
sa mga Samaritano. Sumagot si Hesus, “Kung alam lamang ninyo kung ano ang
ipinagkakaloob ng Diyos, at kung sino itong humihingi sa inyo ng inumin,
marahil ay kayo ang hihingi sa kanya, at kayo nama’y bibigyan niya ng tubig na
nagbibigay-buhay.”
“Ginoo,”
wika ng babae, “malalim ang balong ito at wala man lamang kayong panalok. Saan
kayo kukuha ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay? Higit pa ba kayo kaysa aming ninunong
si Jacob, na nagbigay sa amin ng balong ito? Uminom siya rito, pati ang kanyang
mga anak, at ang kanyang mga hayop.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ang uminom ng tubig na
ito’y muling mauuhaw. Ito’y magiging isang bukal sa loob niya, babalong, at
magbibigay sa kanya ng buhay na walang hanggan.”
Sinabi
ng babae, “Ginoo, kung gayun po’y bigyan ninyo ako ng tubig na sinasabi ninyo,
Nang hindi na ako mauhaw, ni pumarito pa upang sumalok. Ginoo, sa wari ko’y
propeta kayo. Dito sa bundok na ito sumamba sa Diyos ang aming mga magulang,
ngunit sinasabi ninyong mga Judio, na sa Jerusalem lamang dapat sambahin ang
Diyos.” Tinugon siya ni Hesus, “Maniwala ka sa akin, Ginang, dumarating na ang
panahon na sasambahin ninyo ang Ama, hindi lamang sa bundok na ito o sa
Jerusalem.
Hindi
ninyo nakikilala ang inyong sinasamba, ngunit nakikilala namin ang aming
sinasamba, sapagkat ang kaligtasan ay galing sa mga Judio. Ngunit dumarating na
ang panahon – ngayon na nga – na ang mga tunay na sumasamba sa Ama ay sasamba
sa kanya sa espiritu at sa katotohanan. Sapagkat ito ang hinahanap ng Ama sa
mga sumasamba sa kanya. Ang Diyos ay Espiritu kaya dapat siyang sambahin sa
espiritu at sa katotohanan.”
Sinabi
ng babae, “Nalalaman ko pong paririto ang Mesiyas, ang tinatawag na Kristo.
Pagparito niya, siya ang magpapahayag sa atin ng lahat ng bagay.” “Akong
nagsasalita sa iyo ang tinutukoy roon,” sabi ni Hesus. Maraming Samaritano sa
bayang yaon ang sumampalataya kay Hesus. Kaya’t paglapit ng mga Samaritano kay
Hesus, hiniling nila na tumigil muna siya roon; at nanatili siya roon nang
dalawang araw.
At
marami pang sumampalataya nang mapakinggan siya. Sinabi nila sa babae,
“Nananampalataya kami ngayon, hindi na dahil sa sinabi mo kundi dahil sa
narinig namin sa kanya. Nakilala naming siya nga ang Tagapagligtas ng
sanlibutan.”
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Reflection for Sunday March 3, Third Sunday of Lent: John 2:13-25
Gospel: John 2:13-25
He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this? Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.
The Jews said “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead his disciples remembered that he had said this and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.
While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.
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Reflection:
The story is told about a father who would always tell his children to pray and observe silence when they are at church for Holy Mass. In turn, the children would also ask their father, 'Why do we need to be silent at church?'
Their father would right away tell them, because the church is a temple of worship for God. Therefore, when you are at church, you always need to focus on Jesus, be silent, and prayerful.
When Jesus went to the temple for the Feast of Passover, He saw that it was not being used as it was supposed to be. Jesus expected that the temple would be used with solemnity and reverence simply because it is the temple of God.
But to His dismay, the temple was converted into a marketplace where people were wheeling and dealing to earn a living. Perhaps the temple was not only being used for business; perhaps it was being used for other sordid activities. Therefore, Jesus had to intervene; He had to restore order and discipline so that the temple would be fit for worship again.
Every Sunday, or even every day, we go to our respective places of worship which is the church for Holy Mass. How do we behave when we are at church? Do we create noise by chit-chatting with friends and relatives while we wait for the Holy Mass to commence? Or do we begin to connect with God by praying and listening to Him without uttering a single word?
When we are at church, we have to ensure that we only use it for one purpose alone: to worship and connect with God silently. No noise whatsoever, for this is how it must be. Otherwise, if we create noise, we become akin to those who transformed the temple into a marketplace, which provoked anger from Jesus.
How are you when you are at church? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita para Marso 3, Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 2:13-25
Isinabog niya ang salapi ng mga namamalit at pinagtataob ang kanilang mga hapag. Sinabi niya sa mga nagbibili ng kalapati, "Alisin ninyo dito ang mga iyan! Huwag ninyong gawing palengke ang bahay ng aking Ama!" Naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinabi sa Kasulatan,"Ang aking malasakit sa iyong bahay ay parang apoy na nag-aalab sa puso ko."
Dahil dito'y tinanong siya ng mga Judio, "Anong tanda ang maibibigay mo upang patunayang may karapatan kang gawin ito?" Tumugon si Jesus, "Gibain ninyo ang templong ito at muli kong itatayo sa loob ng tatlong araw." Sinabi ng mga Judio, "Apatnapu't anim na taon na ginawa ang templong ito at itatayo mo sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw?" Ngunit ang templong tinutukoy ni Jesus ay ang kanyang katawan. Kaya't ng siya'y muling mabuhay, naalaala ng kanyang mga alagad na sinabi niya ito; at naniwala sila sa Kasulatan at sa sinabi ni Jesus.
Nang Pista ng Paskuwa, nasa Jerusalem si Jesus.
Marami ang sumampalataya sa kanya ng makita nila ang mga kababalaghang ginawa
niya. Subalit hindi nagtiwala sa kanila si Jesus, sapagkat kilala niya silang
lahat. Hindi na kailangang may magsalita
pa sa kanya tungkol sa kaninuman, sapagkat talastas niya ang kalooban ng lahat
ng tao.
Reflection for March 2, Saturday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers. So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.
But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found. Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. He became angry and when he refused to enter the house his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply ‘Look, all
these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never
gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son
returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter
the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your
brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.
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Reflection:
What kind of God is Jesus? He is a God of encompassing love, mercy and forgiveness, what does this mean? This simply means that nobody is beyond reach of the love of God. No matter how sinful we are and no matter who we are still loved dearly by our God.
But there’s one quality that we must have to experience God’s love mercy and forgiveness. And this is repentance, we have to realize first our own sinfulness and have the desire to walk away from our sinfulness and be one again with God.
After wasting his inheritance to debauchery and sinfulness the younger son in the gospel parable had a humbling experience. He had nowhere to go, he lived a life of a beggar so to speak.
So different from his life of comfort when he was still with his father. He therefore said to himself, instead of suffering this difficult situation why not go back home and ask for forgiveness from my father? And he did, to make a long story short his father forgave him.
Let us think and reflect about our own sinfulness and the many offenses that we’ve done that created distance between us and Jesus. Let us heal that distance by humbly asking for His forgiveness. This we can do best if we would humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Would you submit yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 2, Sabado sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32
Kaya’t sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito: “Isang tao
ang may dalawang anak na lalaki. Ang wika ng bunso, ‘Ama, ibigay na po ninyo sa
akin ang mamanahin ko.’ At binahagi sa kanila ng ama ang kanyang ari-arian.
Pagkalipas ng ilang araw, ipinagbili ng bunso ang kanyang ari-arian at nagtungo
sa malayong lupain, taglay ang buo niyang kayamanan, at doo’y nilustay na lahat
sa di wastong pamumuhay.
Nang malustay na niya ang kanyang kayamanan, nagkaroon ng
matinding taggutom sa lupaing yaon, at nagdalita siya. Kaya’t namasukan siya sa
isang mamamayan ng lupain yaon. Siya’y pinapunta nito sa bukid upang mag-alaga
ng baboy. Ibig sana niyang punan ang kanyang pagkain kahit ng mga bungang-kahoy
na ipinakakain sa mga baboy ngunit walang magbigay sa kanya.
Nang mapag-isip-isip niya ang kanyang ginawa, nasabi niya sa
sarili, ‘Ang mga alila ng aking ama ay may sapat na pagkain – at lumalabis pa –
samantalang ako’y namamatay ng gutom dito! Babalik ako sa kanya, at sasabihin
ko, “Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat
na tawagin ninyong anak; ibilang na lamang ninyo akong isa sa inyong mga
alila.”, At tumindig siya at pumaroon sa kanyang ama.
“Malayo pa’y natanawan na siya ng ama at ito’y labis na nahabag sa
kanya, kaya’t patakbo siyang sinalubong, niyakap, at hinagkan. Sinabi ng anak,
‘Ama, nagkasala po ako sa Diyos at sa inyo. Hindi na po ako karapat-dapat na
tawagin ninyong anak.’ Ngunit tinawag ng ama ang kanyang mga alila, ‘Madali!
Dalhin ninyo rito ang pinakamahusay na damit at isuot sa kanya.
Suutan siya ng singsing at panyapak. Kunin ang pinatabang guya at
patayain; kumain tayo at magsaya! Sapagkat namatay na ang anak kong ito; ngunit
muling nabuhay; nawala, ngunit nasumpungan.’ At sila’y nagsaya.
"Nasa bukid noon ang anak na panganay. Umuwi siya, at nang
malapit na sa bahay ay narinig niya ang tugtugan at sayawan. Tinawag niya ang
isa sa mga alila at tinanong: 'Bakit? May ano sa atin?' Dumating po ang inyong
kapatid!' tugon ng alila. 'Ipinapatay ng iyong ama ang pinatabang guya,
sapagkat nagbalik siyang buhay at walang sakit.'
Nagalit ang panganay at ayaw itong pumasok sa bahay. Kaya't
lumabas ang kanyang ama at inamu-amo siya. Ngunit sinabi nito, 'Pinaglingkuran
ko po kayo sa loob ng maraming taon, at kailanma'y hindi ko kayo sinuway.
Ngunit ni minsa'y hindi ninyo ako binigyan ng kahit isang bisirong kambing para
magkatuwaan kami ng aking mga kaibigan.
Subalit
nang dumating ang anak ninyong lumustay ng inyong kabuhayan sa masasamang
babae, ipinagpatay pa ninyo ng pinatabang guya!' Sumagot ang ama, 'Anak, lagi
kitang kapiling. Lahat ng ari-arian ko'y sa iyo. Ngunit dapat tayong magsaya at
magalak, sapagkat namatay na ang kapatid mo, ngunit muling nabuhay; nawala,
ngunit nasumpungan.