Reflection for March 29, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: John 18:1—19:42

Gospel John 18:1-19:42

Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered. Judas his betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas got a band of soldiers and guards  from the chief priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” 

They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,  they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go. 

This was to fulfill what he had said, “I have not lost any of those you gave me.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?” 

So the band of soldiers, the tribune, and the Jewish guards seized Jesus, bound him, and brought him to Annas first. He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people. 

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Now the other disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered the courtyard of the high priest with Jesus. But Peter stood at the gate outside. So the other disciple, the acquaintance of the high priest,  went out and spoke to the gatekeeper and brought Peter in. 

Then the maid who was the gatekeeper said to Peter, “You are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?”He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire that they had made, because it was cold, and were warming themselves. Peter was also standing there keeping warm. 

The high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his doctrine. Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in a synagogue or in the temple area where all the Jews gather, and in secret I have said nothing. Why ask me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. 

They know what I said. When he had said this, one of the temple guards standing there struck Jesus and said, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?” Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 

Now Simon Peter was standing there keeping warm. And they said to him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed. 

Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was morning. And they themselves did not enter the praetorium, in order not to be defiled so that they could eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and said, “What charge do you bring against this man?” 

They answered and said to him, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him, “We do not have the right to execute anyone, “ in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die. So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” 

Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting  to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. 

But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” 

When he had said this, he again went out to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at Passover. Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this one but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a revolutionary. 

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and clothed him in a purple cloak, and they came to him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly. Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” 

Now when Pilate heard this statement, he became even more afraid, and went back into the praetorium and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” Jesus did not answer him. So Pilate said to him, “Do you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you and I have power to crucify you?” 

Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” Consequently, Pilate tried to release him; but the Jews cried out, “If you release him, you are not a Friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 

When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus out and seated him on the judge’s bench in the place called Stone Pavement, in Hebrew, Gabbatha. It was preparation day for Passover, and it was about noon. And he said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” They cried out, “Take him away, take him away! Crucify him!”  

Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. Here they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. 

Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am the King of the Jews’.” 

Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four shares, a share for each soldier. They also took his tunic, but the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top down. So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it will be, “ in order that the passage of Scripture might be fulfilled that says: They divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. 

This is what the soldiers did. Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. 

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. 

Here all kneel and pause for a short time. 

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and that they be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.  

But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true;  he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe. For this happened so that the Scripture passage might be fulfilled: Not a bone of it will be broken. And again another passage says: They will look upon him whom they have pierced. 

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, secretly a disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. And Pilate permitted it. So he came and took his body. Nicodemus, the one who had first come to him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds. 

They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why do many of us wear a cross with Jesus on it for our necklace? Why do we put the cross of Jesus in a conspicuous place in our home? Perhaps, some of us wear this for protection against any harm. But is this the only reason? We also have this cross to remind us of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus for us; His death on the cross, no less! 

But many of us are afraid to fully embrace this cross of Jesus.  Anyone of us who wants suffering in our lives? Nobody of us would want suffering because as much as possible we want a life free of suffering/s. But if we would not pass though suffering how would we feel Jesus’ presence in our life? If Jesus went through severe sufferings, who are we not to suffer? 

When Peter was recognized as one of the men in the company of Jesus, He denied Jesus three times. Why? Because during that moment Peter was afraid to suffer for his Lord and Master. Are we also afraid to suffer for the Lord? Let us not be afraid to go through suffering for the Lord because by passing through it we will know more Jesus deeply. 

On this Good Friday let us think about our own suffering/s and think of how Jesus suffered for us on the cross. Let us thank Jesus for our suffering/s for it has brought us closer to Him. And at the same time let us ask Jesus to help us carry and eventually overcome our own suffering/s. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 29, Biyernes Santo sa Pagpagpapakasakit ng Panginoon (Pag-aayuno at Abstinensya): Juan 18:1-19:42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 18:1-19:42

Noong panahong iyon, umalis si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad. Pumunta sila sa ibayo ng batis Cedron at pumasok sa isang halamanan doon. Ang lugar na ito'y alam ni Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya, sapagkat madalas magpunta roon si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad.  

Pumaroon si Judas, kasama ang ilang bantay sa templo at isang pangkat ng mga kawal na padala ng mga punong saserdote at mga Pariseo. May dala silang mga parol, sulo at sandata. Alam ni Jesus ang lahat ng mangyayari sa kanya, kaya't sila'y sinalubong niya at tinanong, "Sino ang hinahanap ninyo?" "Si Hesus na taga-Nazaret," tugon nila, Sinabi niya, "Ako si Hesus." 

Kaharap nila si Judas na nagkanulo sa kanya. Nang sabihin ni Jesus na siya nga, napaurong sila at nabuwal sa lupa. Muli siyang nagtanong, "Sino nga ang hinahanap ninyo?" "Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret," sagot nila. "sinabi ko na sa inyong ako si Jesus. Kung ako ang hinahanap ninyo, hayaan ninyong umalis ang mga taong ito," wika niya.

Sinabi niya ito upang matupad ang kanyang salita, "Walang napahamak kahit isa sa mga ibinigay mo sa akin, Ama." Binunot ni Simon Pedro ang kanyang tabak at tinaga ang alipin ng pinakapunong saserdote. Natigpas ang kanyang tainga ng aliping yaon na ang pangala'y Malco. Sinabi ni Jesus kay Pedro, "Isalong mo ang iyong tabak! Dapat kong inumin ang saro ng paghihirap na ibinigay sa akin ng Ama." 

Si Jesus ay dinakip at ginapos ng mga bantay na Judio at ng pangkat ng mga kawal sa pamumuno ng kanilang kapitan. Siya'y dinala muna kay Anas na biyenan ni Caifas na pinakapunong saserdote nang panahong yaon. Si Caifas ang nagpayo sa mga Judio na mas mabuti para sa kanila na isang tao lamang ang mamatay alang-alang sa bayan. 

Si Simon Pedro at ang isa pang alagad ay sumunod kay Jesus. Kilala ng pinakapunong saserdote ang alagad na ito, kaya't nakapasok siyang kasama ni Jesus sa patyo ng bahay ng pinakapunong saserdote. Naiwan naman si Pedro sa labas ng pintuan.

Lumabas ang alagad na kilala ng pinakapumong saserdote , kinausap ang dalagang nagbabantay sa pinto, at pinapasok si Pedro. Si Pedro'y tinanong ng dalaga, hindi ba't isa ka sa mga alagad ng taong iyan?" "Hindi," sagot ni Pedro. Maginaw noon, kaya't nagpabaga ng uling ang mga alipin at mga bantay at tumayo sa paligid ng siga upang magpainit. Nakihalo si Pedro at nagpainit din. 

Si Jesus ay tinanong ng pinakapunong saserdote tungkol sa kanyang mga alagad at sa kanyang itinuturo. Sumagot si Jesus, "Hayagan akong nagsasalita sa madla; lagi akong nagtuturo sa mga sinagoga at sa templo ng mga Judio. Wala akong sinabing palihim. Bakit ako ang tinatanong ninyo?

Ang tanungin ninyo'y ang mga nakarinig sa akin; alam nila kung ano ang sinabi ko." Pagkasabi nito, siya'y sinampal ng isa sa mga bantay na naroroon. "Bakit mo sinasagot ng ganyan ang pinakapunong saserdote?" tanong niya. Sinagot siya ni Jesus, "Kung nagsalita ako ng masama, patunayan mo! Ngunit kung mabuti ang sinabi ko, bakit mo ako sinampal?" Si Jesus na nagagapos pa noon ay ipinadala ni Anas kay Caifas, ang pinakapunong saserdote.  

Samantala, naroon pa rin si Simon Pedro at nagpapainit. Siya'y tinanong nila, "Hindi ba't alagad ka rin ng taong iyan?" "Hindi!" sagot ni Pedro. Tinanong naman siya ng isang alipin ng pinakapunong saserdote , kamag-anak ng lalaking tinagpasan niya ng tainga, "Hindi ba ikaw ang nakita kong kasama ni Jesus sa halamanan?" Muling itinatwa ito ni Pedro. Siya namang pagtilaok ng manok. 

Mula sa bahay ni Caifas, si Jesus ay dinala nila sa palasyo ng gobernador. Umaga na noon. Hindi pumasok ang mga Judio sa palasyo ng gobernador, upang sila'y huwag maituring na di karapat-dapat kumain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa. Kaya't sa labas sila tinanggap ni Pilato at tinanong, "Ano ang sakdal ninyo laban sa taong ito?"

Sumagot sila, "Kung hindi po siya gumawa ng masama, hindi namin siya dadalhin sa inyo." Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, "Dalhin ninyo siya, at hatulan ayon sa inyong kautusan." Sumagot ang mga Judio, "Wala po kaming kapangyarihang humatol ng kamatayan kaninuman." Nangyari ito upang matupad ang sinabi ni Jesus tungkol sa paraan ng kanyang pagkamatay. 

Si Pilato'y pumasok uli sa palasyo at tinawag si Jesus. "Ikaw ba ang Hari ng mga Judio?" tanong niya. Sumagot si Jesus, "Iyan ba'y galing sa inyong sariling isipan, o may nagsabi sa inyo?" "Ako ba'y Judio?" tanong ni Pilato. "Ang mga kababayan mo at ang mga punong saserdote ang nagdala sa inyo rito.

Ano ba ang ginawa mo?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ang kaharian ko'y hindi sa sanlibutang ito. Kung sa sanlibutang ito ang aking kaharian , ipinakipaglaban sana ako ng aking mga tauhan at hindi naipagkanulo sa mga Judio. Ngunit hindi sa sanlibutang ito ang aking kaharian!" Kung gayon, isa kang hari?" sabi ni Pilato.

Sumagot si Jesus, "Kayo na ang nagsabing ako'y hari. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ako ipinanganak at naparito sa sanlibutan: upang magsalita tungkol sa katotohanan. "Ano ba ang katotohanan?" tanong ni Pilato. 

Pagkasabi nito, muling lumabas si Pilato at sinabi sa mga Judio, "Wala akong makitang kasalanan sa taong ito. Ngunit ayon sa inyong kaugalian, dapat akong magpalaya ng isang bilanggo kung araw ng Paskuwa. Ibig ba ninyong palayain ko ang Hari ng mga Judio?" "Hindi!" sigaw nila. "Huwag siya, kundi si Barrabas!" Si Barrabas ay isang tulisan. 

Kaya't ipinakuha ni Pilato si Jesus at ipinahagupit. Ang mga kawal ay kumuha ng halamang matinik, ginawang korona, at ipinutong kay Jesus. At sinuutan siya ng balabal na purpura. Isa't isa'y lumalapit sa kanya ang wika,"Mabuhay ang Hari ng mga Judio!" At siya'y pinagsasampal.

Lumabas uli si Pilato at sinabi sa kanila, "Ihaharap ko siya sa inyo upang malaman ninyo na wala akong makitang kasalanan niya!" At inilabas si Jesus na may koronang tinik at balabal na purpura. Sinabi sa kanila ni Pilato, "Narito ang mga tao!" Pagkakita sa kanya ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga bantay sila'y sumigaw: "Ipako siya sa krus! Ipako sa krus! "

Sinabi ni Pilato, "Kunin ninyo siya, at kayo ang magpako sa, at kayo ang magpako sa kanya. Wala akong makitang kasalanan niya." Sumagot ang mga Judio, "Ayon sa aming kautusa'y nararapat siyang mamatay, sapagkat siya'y nagpapanggap na Anak ng Diyos." 

Lalong natakot si Pilato nang marinig ang mga pananalitang ito. Muli siyang pumasok sa palasyo at tinanong si Jesus, "Tagasaan ka ba?" Subalit hindi tumugon si Jesus. "Ayaw mo bang makipag-usap sa akin?" ani Pilato. "Hindi mo ba alam na maari kitang palayain o ipapako sa krus?" At sumagot si Jesus, "Kaya mo lang magagawa iyan ay sapagkat ipinagkaloob sa iyo ng Diyos ang kapangyarihang iyan, kaya mas mabigat ang kasalanan ng nagdala sa akin dito."

Nang marinig ito ni Pilato, lalo niyang hinangad na palayain si Jesus. Ngunit nagsigawan ang mga tao, "Kapag pinalaya mo ang taong iyan, hindi ka kaibigan ni Cesar! Sinumang nagpapanggap na hari ay kalaban ni Cesar." Pagkarinig ni Pilato sa pangungusap na ito, inilabas niya si Jesus, at siya'y lumuklok sa hukuman sa dakong tinatawag na "Ang Plataporma" Gabata sa wikang Hebreo. 

Araw noon ng Paghahanda sa Paskuwa, at mag-iikalabindalawa na ng tanghali. Sinabi ni Pilato sa mga Judio, "Narito ang inyong hari!" Sumigaw sila, "Patayin siya! Patayin! Ipako sa krus!" Ipapako ko ba sa krus ang inyong hari?" tanong ni Pilato. Sumagot ang punong saserdote, "Wala kaming hari kundi ang Cesar!" Kaya't si Jesus ay ibinigay sa kanila ni Pilato upang ipako sa krus.

Kinuha nga nila si Jesus. At lumabas siya na pasan ang kanyang krus, patungo sa lugar na kung tawagi'y "Dako ng Bungo" Golgota sa wikang Hebreo. Pagdating doon , siya'y ipinako sa krus, kasama ng dalawa pa -- isa sa gawing kanan at isa sa kaliwa. Sumulat si Pilato ng ganitong pangungusap at ipinalagay sa krus: "Si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, ang Hari ng mga Judio."

Nasusulat ito sa mga wikang Hebreo, Latin, at Griego at marami sa mga Judio ang nakabasa nito, sapagkat malapit sa lunsod ang dakong pinagpakuan kay Jesus. Kaya't sinabi ng mga punong saserdote kay Pilato, "Huwag ninyong isulat na Hari ng mga Judio, kundi, 'Sinabi ng taong ito, Ako ang Hari ng mga Judio.' " Sumagot si Pilato, "Ang naisulat ko'y naisulat ko na." 

Nang maipako na ng mga kawal si Jesus, kinuha nila ang kanyang kasuutan at pinaghati-hatian ng apat. Kinuha rin nila ang kanyang tunika; ito'y walang tahi at hinabi ng buo mula sa itaas hanggang sa ibaba. Nag-usap-usap ang mga kawal, "Huwag nating punitin ito; magsapalaran na lamang tayo para malaman kung kanino ito mauuwi."

Nangyari ito upang matupad ang isinasaad ng Kasulatan, "Pinaghati-hatian nila ang aking kasuutan; at ang aking damit ay kanilang pinagsapalaran." Gayon na nga ang ginawa ng mga kawal.  

Nakatayo sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae nitong si Maria, na asawa ni Cleopas. Naroon din si Maria Magdalena. Nang makita ni Jesus ang kanyang ina, at ang minamahal na alagad sa tabi nito, kanyang sinabi, "Ginang, narito ang iyong Anak!" At sinabi sa alagad, "Narito ang iyong Ina!" Mula noon, siya'y pinatira ng alagad na ito sa kanyang bahay.

Pagkatapos nito, alam ni Jesus na naganap na ang lahat ng bagay; at bilang katuparan ng Kasulatan ay sinabi niya, "Nauuhaw ako!" May isang mangkok doon na puno ng maasim na alak. Itinubog nila dito ang isang espongha, ikinabit sa sanga ng isopo at idiniit sa kanyang bibig. Nang masipsip ni Jesus ang alak ay kanyang sinabi, "Naganap na!" Iniyukayok niya ang kanyang ulo at nalagot ang kanyang hininga. 

(Dito luluhod ang tanan at sandaling mananahimik.)

Noo'y araw ng Paghahanda, at ayaw ng mga Judio na manatili sa krus ang mga bangkay sa Araw ng Pamamahinga sapagkat dakila ang Araw ng Pamamahingang ito. Kaya't hiniling nila kay Pilato na ipabali nito ang mga binti ng mga ipinako sa krus, at alisin doon ang mga bangkay.

Naparoon nga ang mga kawal at binali ang mga binti ng dalawang ipinakong kasabay ni Jesus. Ngunit pagdating nila kay Jesus at makitang patay na siya, hindi na nila binali ang kanyang binti. Subalit inulos ng sibat ng isa sa mga kawal ang tagiliran ni Jesus, at biglang dumaloy ang dugo at tubig.

Ang nakakita nito ang nagpatotoo -- tunay ang kanyang patotoo at alam niyang katotohanan ang sinabi niya -- upang kayo'y maniwala. Nangyari ang mga ito upang matupad ang sinasabi ng Kasulatan. "Walang mababali isa man sa kanyang mga buto." At sinabi naman ng ibang bahagi ng Kasulatan, "Pagmamasdan nila ang kanilang inulos." 

Pagkatapos nito, si Jose na taga-Arimatea ay nagsadya kay Pilato upang humingi ng pahintulot na makuha ang bangkay ni Jesus. Si Jose'y isang alagad ni Jesus, ngunit palihim nga lamang dahil sa takot sa mga Judio. At pinahintulutan siya ni Pilato; kaya't kinuha ni Jose ang bangkay ni Jesus.

Sumama sa kanya si Nicodemo, may dalang pabango -- mga 100 libra na pinaghalong mira at aloe. Siya ang nagsadya kay Jesus isang gabi. Kinuha nila ang bangkay ni Jesus, at nilagyan ng pabango , habang binabalot sa kayong lino, ayon sa kaugalian ng mga Judio. Sa pinagpakuan kay Jesus ay may halamanan, at dito'y may isang libingang hindi pa napaglilibingan. Yamang noo'y araw ng Paghahanda ng mga Judio, at dahil malapit naman ang libingang ito, doon nila inilibing si Jesus.

Reflection for March 28, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. 

So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later. Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me. 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well. Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all. For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What is the unwritten requirement for somebody to become a follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. For this is one the few virtues that will sustain a person to continue to follow Jesus. Jesus Himself lived this virtue of humility when He followed to the letter the mission that was given to Him by God. 

When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He did not do this for Him to be admired by anyone. He washed His disciples’ feet to send a strong message to them that if He who is their Lord and Master did this supreme act of humility. They too must do the same to one another, for what reason? So that the faith the He founded through Peter would survive. Jesus knew that without humility there’s was no chance for the faith to grow and blossom as it is today. 

However to live the virtue of humility is not easy to do, take for example the act of washing His disciples’ feet. Could we do this also to each and every member of our family? Could we do this also to each and every member of our church’s community? 

It’s not easy to live the virtue of Humility yet if we truly desire to follow Jesus we would be able to imbibe and live humility. For it is in our humility that we would grow more in knowledge and friendship with Jesus. It’s through our humility that we could convince others to follow Jesus.   

Do we desire to have a personal relationship with Jesus? Do we desire to convince others to follow the Lord? Let us live and breathe Humility for this is the only way to have a personal relationship with Jesus. And this is the only way that we can convince others to follow Jesus.  - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 28, Huwebes Pagmimisa sa Pagtatakipsilim sa Paghahapunan ng Panginoon: Juan 13:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:1-15

Bisperas na ng Paskuwa. Alam ni Hesus na dumating na ang panahon ng kanyang paglisan sa sanlibutang ito upang bumalik sa Ama. Mahal niya ang kanyang mga tagasunod na nasa sanlibutan, at ngayo’y ipakikita niya kung hanggang saan ang kanyang pag-ibig sa kanila. 

Naghahapunan si Hesus at ang mga alagad. Naisilid na ng diyablo sa isip ni Judas, anak ni Simon Iscariote, ang pagkakanulo kay Hesus. Alam ni Hesus na ibinigay na sa kanya ng Ama ang buong kapangyarihan; alam din niyang siya’y mula sa Diyos at babalik sa Diyos. Kaya’t nang sila’y naghahapunan, tumindig si Hesus, naghubad ng kanyang panlabas na kasuotan, at nagbigkis ng tuwalya. 

Pagkatapos, nagbuhos siya ng tubig sa palanggana, at sinimulang hugasan ang paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang nakabigkis sa kanya. Paglapit niya kay Simon Pedro, tumutol ito. “Panginoon,” sabi niya, “diyata’t kayo pa ang maghuhugas ng aking mga paa?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Hindi mo nauunawan ngayon ang ginagawa ko, ngunit mauunawaan mo rin pagkatapos.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro. “Hinding-hindi ko po pahuhugasan sa inyo ang aking mga paa.” 

“Kung hindi kita huhugasan, wala kang kaugnayan sa akin,” tugon ni Hesus. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro, “Panginoon, hindi lamang po ang mga paa ko, kundi pati ang aking kamay at ulo!” Ani Hesus, “Maliban sa kanyang mga paa, hindi na kailangang hugasan pa ang naligo na, sapagkat malinis na ang kanyang buong katawan. At malinis na kayo, ngunit hindi lahat.” Sapagkat alam ni Hesus kung sino ang magkakanulo sa kanya, kaya sinabi niyang malinis na sila, ngunit hindi lahat. 

Nang mahugasan na ni Hesus ang kanilang mga paa, siya’y nagsuot ng damit at nagbalik sa hapag. “Nauunawaan ba ninyo kung ano ang ginawa ko sa inyo?” tanong niya sa kanila. “Tinatawag ninyo akong Guro at Panginoon, at tama kayo, sapagkat ako nga. Kung akong Panginoon ninyo at Guro ay naghugas ng inyong mga paa, dapat din kayong mahugasan ng paa. Binigyan ko kayo ng halimbawa at ito’y dapat ninyong tularan.” 

Reflection for March 27, Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. 

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. 

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord? He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 

The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born. Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Are we lovers of money and do we allow money to take control of us? 

What a shame that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver it was again his greed for money that made him betray Jesus. Money indeed can make people do inhuman things such as betrayal of one’s trust. The love for money is indeed the root of all evils (1 Timothy 6:10). 

 If Judas did not love money or if he did not allow money to take control of him he would not have betrayed Jesus. But he loved money and he allowed money to get the better of him. Don’t we sometimes also betray Jesus for our love and greed for money? 

In what other way do we betray Jesus? When we are so greedy for power not only in secular organizations but in government as well. We also betray Jesus when we are greedy with power to head church organizations. We must not let ourselves be taken by any form of greed from greed is from Satan. 

Instead of loving money why not hate it like a plague by sharing it with those who are in need? Many are poor and going hungry right now because life is hard, let us therefore share whatever money  and material things we have with them. 

Let us share it because it’s in sharing our blessings that we would receive more blessings from the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 27, Miyerkules Santo: Mateo 26:14-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 26:14-25

Si Judas Iscariote, isa sa Labindalawa, ay nakipagkita sa mga punong saserdote. "Ano po ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin kung tulungan ko kayong madakip si Jesus?" tanong niya. Noon din ay binilangan niya siya ng tatlumpong salaping pilak. Mula noon, humanap na si Judas ng pagkakataon upang maipagkanulo si Jesus. 

Dumating ang unang araw ng Kapistahan ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura. Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong, "Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?" Sumagot siya, "Pumunta kayo sa lunsod at hanapin ninyo ang taong ito. Sabihin sa kanyang ganito ang ipinasasabi ng Guro: 'Malapit na ang aking oras. Ako at ang mga alagad ko'y sa bahay mo kakain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa.' " Sinunod ng mga alagad ang utos ni Jesus, at inihanda nila ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa. 

Nang gabing yaon, dumulog sa hapag si Jesus, kasama ang labindalawang alagad. Samantalang sila'y kumakain, nangusap si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko: isa sa inyo ang magkakanulo sa akin." Nanlumo ang mga alagad, at isa't isa'y nagtanong sa kanya, "Ako po ba, Panginoon?" Sumagot siya, "Ang kasabay kong sumawsaw sa mangkok ang siyang magkakanulo sa akin. 

Papanaw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa nasusulat, ngunit sa aba ng nagkanulo sa kanya! "Mabuti pang hindi na ipinanganak ang taong iyon." Si Judas, na magkakanulo sa kanya, ay nagtanong din, "Guro, ako po ba?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ikaw na ang nagsabi."

Reflection for March 26, Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. 

So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” 

So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. 

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

Would you agree that there are times that you sin and thus betray the Lord? 

Whether we admit it not there are really times that we succumb to the temptation of Satan. Thus, we sin and we create distance between us and the Lord Jesus Christ. However, even if we sin or betray the Lord we still are not beyond redemption. Jesus loves us so dearly that He will always forgive us no matter how many times we sin or betray Him. 

In the gospel we read about Jesus alluding to His betrayal by Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. How could Judas betray his Lord and Master? It seems unthinkable for this apostle to betray his teacher and master but it happened. Why? This is for the reason that Judas allowed Satan to take control of him. 

But what is sad in Judas' betrayal is that it led to his self-inflicted death. Judas could have returned to the Lord, but he did not. Instead, he chose to wallow in desperation, and it culminated in his suicide. If only Judas knew that Jesus was waiting for his return, if only Judas knew that Jesus was ready to forgive him, he would not have killed himself.

As long as we exist in this world Satan and his many sinful enticements would always be there to temp us. And many of us would succumb to these sinful temptations. However we must not forget that no matter how grave our sins are we are not beyond redemption. 

The Lord Jesus is always waiting for us to go back to Him! He is ever ready to embrace us again with His Forgiveness, Mercy and unconditional Love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 26, Martes Santo: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Noong panahong iyon, habang nakahilig kasama ng kanyang mga alagad, nagugulumihanang sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako’y ipagkakanulo ng isa sa inyo.” Nagkatinginan ang mga alagad; hindi nila alam kung sino ang kanyang tinutukoy. Ang alagad na minamahal ni Hesus ay nakahilig na kalapit niya. Kinalabit siya ni Simon Pedro at sinabi, “Itanong mo kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.”  

Kaya humilig siya sa dibdib ni Hesus at itinanong: “Panginoon, sino po ba ang tinutukoy ninyo?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ang ipagsawsaw ko ng tinapay, siya na nga.” At nang maisawsaw ang tinapay, ibinigay niya ito kay Judas na anak ni Simon Iscariote. Nang matanggap na ni Judas ang tinapay, si Satanas ay pumasok sa kanya.  

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Gawin mo na ang gagawin mo!” Ngunit isa man sa mga kasalo niya ay walang nakaalam kung bakit niya sinabi ito. Sapagkat si Judas ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi, inakala nilang pinabibili siya ni Hesus ng kakailanganin sa pista o kaya’y pinapaglilimos sa mga dukha. Nang makain na ni Judas ang tinapay, siya’y umalis. Gabi na noon. 

Pagkaalis ni Judas ay sinabi ni Hesus, “Ngayo’y mahahayag na ang karangalan ng Anak ng Tao; at mahahayag din ang karangalan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. At kung mahayag na ang karangalan ng Diyos, ang Diyos naman ang maghahayag ng karangalan ng Anak, at gagawin niya ito agad. Mga anak, kaunting panahon na lamang ninyo akong makakasama. Hahanapin ninyo ako; ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon ang sinabi ko sa mga Judio, ‘Hindi kayo makapupunta sa paroroonan ko.’” 

“Saan po kayo pupunta, Panginoon?” tanong ni Simon Pedro. Sumagot si Hesus, “Sa paroroonan ko’y hindi ka makasusunod ngayon, ngunit susunod ka pagkatapos.” “Bakit po hindi ako makasusunod sa inyo ngayon?” tanong ni Pedro. “Buhay ko ma’y iaalay ko dahil sa inyo.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Iaalay mo ang iyong buhay dahil sa akin? Tandaan mo: bago tumilaok ang manok, makaitlo mo akong itatatwa.”

Reflection for March 25, Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

Gospel: John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.   

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” 

He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

+ + + + + +

Reflection:

A wealthy woman said: I love money and I can’t live without it. Are you also addicted to money and can’t you also live without it? 

The love for money is the root of all evils we saw this in Judas, he betrayed Jesus all because of his love for money (Matthew 26:15). The same thing in the gospel; Judas criticized Mary for anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. Judas said “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor (John 12:5)?” However, this statement of his was simply a charade for he is a thief of the highest degree. 

Those who love money will never have enough of it. They will continue to amass it with greed and they will do every possible way (even ways that are contrary to morals) just to have it. Not knowing that at the end their greed for money will eventually destroy them. The same greed will be their ticket to hell. 

 Money is not everything! Money can buy us a house but not a home, money can buy us books but not knowledge. Money can bring us laughter but not true happiness, money can buy us temporary friends but not true friends who will be there through the highs and lows of our life. Money can buy us sex but not love and there are many more things that money can buy but will not give us true peace and happiness. 

Do you sometimes allow yourself to be enslaved by money? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 25, Lunes Santo: Juan 12:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:1-11

Anim na araw bago mag-Paskuwa, si Hesus ay dumating sa Betania, sa bayan ni Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Ipinaghanda siya roon ng hapunan; naglingkod si Marta, at si Lazaro’y isa sa mga kasalo ni Hesus. Kumuha si Maria ng mamahaling pabango, isang libra ng dalisay na nardo, at ibinuhos sa mga paa ni Hesus. Pagkatapos, pinunasan ng kanyang buhok. At humalimuyak sa buong bahay ang pabango. 

Si Judas Iscariote, ang alagad na magkakanulo kay Hesus, ay nagsabi, “Bakit hindi ipinagbili ang pabango at ibinigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan? Maaaring umabot sa tatlong daang denaryo ang halaga niyan.” Hindi dahil sa siya’y may malasakit sa mga dukha kaya niya sinabi iyon, kundi dahil sa siya’y magnanakaw. Siya ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi at kinukupit niya ito. 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ano’t siya’y ginugulo ninyo? Pabayaan ninyong ilaan niya ito para sa paglilibing sa akin. Habang panaho’y kasama ninyo ang mga dukha, ngunit ako’y hindi ninyo kasama sa habang panahon.” 

Nabalitaan ng maraming Judio na si Hesus ay nasa Betania kaya’t pumaroon sila, hindi lamang dahil sa kanya, kundi para makita si Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Kaya’t binalak ng mga punong saserdote na ipapatay rin si Lazaro, sapagkat dahil sa kanya’y maraming Judio ang humihiwalay na sa kanila at nananalig kay Hesus.

Reflection for Sunday March 24, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: Mark 14:1—15:47

Gospel: Mark 14:1—15:47

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”

When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.” 

They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you,  and whenever you wish you can do good to them,  but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,  when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,  his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them,  Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city,  and found it just as he had told them;  and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” He said to them, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.

Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” 

But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you,

I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,  and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. 

Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will. When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. 

Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” 

He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.” 

And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’” Even so their testimony did not agree.

The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’ 

At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards greeted him with blows.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 

Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” He began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.

As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. 

But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.They brought him to the place of Golgotha — which is translated Place of the Skull —They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments  by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 

The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” 

Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemasabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah. One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene,  Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. 

And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do you see yourself in the Gospel of the Lord's passion narrative this Sunday? Could you be one of the crowd who was shouting 'Hosanna' as the Lord, astride on a donkey, entered Jerusalem? 

Could you be Peter, the rock, who said to Jesus that he would never deny Him? Yet, the same Peter, who professed loyalty to Jesus, denied Him not once, not twice, but three times! Could you be the Chief Priest, the scribes, and the others who plotted to kill Jesus? 

Could you be Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? Could you be one of the crowd who shouted, 'Crucify Him, crucify Him'?

Could you be Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus? Could you be one of the women who stayed loyal to Jesus until His death on the cross? 

Could you be the centurion who said, 'Truly, this man was the Son of God!' after Jesus breathed His last? Could you be Joseph of Arimathea, who took care and buried the body of Jesus?

You could be any one of these actors in the Gospel of the Passion of the Lord. You may be one of the villains, or you may be one of those who helped Jesus and remained loyal to Him until the very end. You could also be the centurion who was enlightened by God to recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

As you begin your Holy Week, reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Consider how you can strengthen and deepen it some more during this time, so that you will have a clearer picture of Jesus’ role in your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas