Reflection for Thursday March 16, Second Week of Lent: Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours. He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them lest they too come to this place of torment. But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. Then Abraham said ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.

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Reflection:

Does the poor have a purpose in the life of the rich and affluent? Yes they have! The poor closes the gap between the rich and God, the poor brings God closer to the rich for the poor represents God. Jesus himself said that whatever we do to the least or poor we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40).

We have in our gospel the characters of the nameless rich man (He could be anyone of us) and the poor man Lazarus. The nameless rich man is insensitive to the needs of the poor man Lazarus. Why? Because the rich man perceived the poor Lazarus as good for nothing, Lazarus would simply disturb him from his enjoyment of his riches.

What if the rich man knew beforehand that at the back his door stands God in disguise in the person of the poor man Lazarus? Who unceasingly knocks to bring him more blessings and to save him from going to hell? He would have immediately opened his door and give Lazarus every precious things and every royal treatment that he could give him.

But the rich man never recognized the presence of God in Lazarus, he instead nonchalantly continued with his greedy and insensitive lifestyle.

How then could we connect this gospel to our own personal life? We see and encounter the poor (Materially and Spiritually poor) almost everyday. Do we even care to take a second look at them and then give them something to fill their empty stomachs and spirits? If we can’t give them anything because we are also poor, do we even care to talk to them or even smile at them?

There are times that yes we give to the poor and to those who are in need. But we want everyone to know about this and we limit our giving to the things that we don’t need anymore. We limit our generosity to give them money that will not hurt our own bank accounts. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Wednesday March 15, Second Week of Lent: Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

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

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

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

Why do we follow Jesus in the first place? Is it for us to have an exalted position in our community or in our parish church? Many of us love it so much to be looked-up and respected because we advertise ourselves to be close to Jesus.

And when nobody is noticing us we seek attention. Do we make Jesus happy when we use Him for us to be exalted? Of course not! But this is where we always fall! We use Jesus as our springboard for us to be exalted and respected.

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

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

Reflection for Tuesday March 14, Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Do you live what you preach? 

Walk your talk is a language of management, what does this mean? It simply signify to do what you say and lead by example. For instance if the leader tells his subordinates to do this and that, the leader must ensure that he does it first thus he leads the way for his people.

Many of the Pharisees and the scribes during the time of Jesus were leaders of their communities. And as such they give orders to their people to do this and that, then it ends with giving orders. There was no leadership by example from them, they gave orders and they just stay in their ivory towers observing their subjects.   

Effective leadership for Jesus is leadership by example. They are leaders who walk their talk. For instance in a family setting if the parents would say to their children, do this and that and observe this discipline and that. To facilitate thorough accomplishment of their orders the parents should lead by example. Thus, they earn the respect of their children.

Isn’t this advice of Jesus also very useful to our personal lives? If we want our orders to be accomplished and if we want to gain the respect of our people we must then be ready to lead by example. And this is by the way how Jesus lived His life and His leadership.

How are you as an individual or perhaps as a leader? Are you the type who’s just content of giving orders or you lead by example? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Monday March 13, Second Week of Lent: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

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Reflection:

Are you merciful, are you not quick to judge and are you generous?

Jesus gives us today in the gospel guidelines for living our faith. Be merciful, this merciful attitude is not only exclusive to those whom we love or to those whom we are friends with. Let be merciful to anyone most especially to our enemies and to those who’ve hurt us.  

Stop judging/condemning and you will not be judged/condemned. Try pointing an accusing finger to someone whom you are judging or condemning and you will find out that three of your fingers are pointing back at you. Before you judge others of their iniquities look closely on yourselves first.

On forgiveness, Jesus tells us to forgive and we will be forgiven. There are some of us who are so heartless that we have no room for forgiveness in our hearts. Jesus gives us insights on how we can liberate ourselves form hateful emotions. 

We have to always be forgiving, it is indeed a liberating experience when we forgive; we let go of our pent-up emotions that have been enslaving us for so long. Just try giving your wholesale forgiveness to everyone who has hurt you and you will feel as if a big burden has been taken off you.

On giving, Jesus tells us to give and gifts will be given to us in return, this is very true. The more that we give the more that we will receive, oftentimes we don’t give simply because we are very concerned with our own needs. 

Let us always remember that whatever possessions that we have are not ours. We are simply stewards of the material possessions that we have. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 12, Second Sunday of Lent; Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Reflection:

Has there been a time in your life wherein you feel giving up already because of the hardship that you’ve been going through? What did you do? Did you ask Jesus to help you face you trials? Did you ask Jesus to help you carry your burdens? Did you ask Jesus to strengthen your sagging morale?

One of the many reasons why Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration is to strengthen them. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter, James and John would be facing gargantuan challenges in their mission for Him. That’s why Jesus saw it fit to bring them first to the mountain of transfiguration to assure them that heaven exist and it’s for them to own someday if they would be faithful to their mission.

Isn’t this our life with Jesus? Life full of challenges and often times trials as well. However, let us not be daunted by these difficulties let us face it with faith for Jesus is with us. He will never abandon us, He will be with us every step of the way.

The event of transfiguration shows us that heavenly glory awaits us all if only we would be faithful to our Baptismal mission. Buy the sad reality is many are not doing it and many are not even aware that they have a mission to fulfill to propagate the faith.

  

We who know about this must never lose heart in doing our mission for Jesus and for the church.  Jesus is assuring us that heaven is ours to take someday if only we would continue to be faithful to our baptismal mission.

Are you doing your mission for the Transfigured Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Saturday March 11, First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

Would you obey the command of Jesus to love and pray for your enemy?

Who are we to not obey the command of Jesus to love even our enemy? We are mere mortals and sinful beings of God. If God loves us unconditionally, why can’t we do the same to our fellowmen?

Our problem is we give so much importance on our high sense of ourselves, on our egos. That’s why we often times say, “If you don’t love me I will not love you also.”, “If you’re angry with me, then I would be angry with you also.” These kinds of reasoning are reasoning of a person who is so full of himself. 

The call of Jesus for us it to do away with our very high regard of ourselves and this would only be possible if we would become humble. Humility therefore is the key factor for us to be able to follow this command of Jesus: To give unconditionally love even to our enemies.

Let be humility an integral part of our way of life. Let us always learn to reach-out, let us always be forgiving and let us not harbor ill feelings to those who’ve wronged us. If we’re able to do these, we can now say that we would be able to love and pray for everyone… even our enemies. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Friday March 10, First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

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

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

What is the antidote to sin or what could defeat sin or hatred? Its humility, forgiveness and love. For example if you sin against your spouse the cure for this sin is to humble yourself before your spouse. You do this by  saying, I’m sorry for hurting you or  I’m sorry for betraying your trust.

If your spouse loves you dearly you can expect forgiveness, the mitigating factor here is  your humility to admit your offense or sin. But not everyone is willing to say, I’m sorry for to admit ones mistake or to say I’m sorry is one  of the hardest words to say. But if there’s humility in us we would not think twice to apologize for this will once again heal the relationship.

But the paradox is, we are quick to sin yet we are not quick to apologize  or some are not even willing to apologize. And this lack of humility on our part creates bigger trouble/s in our married relationship or any other kind of relationship for that matter.

In our gospel Jesus is teaching us about humility and to have the courage to admit our own mistakes or shortcomings (Matthew 5:23-25). Why? Because if we are willing to humble ourselves and if we have the courage to admit our own sinfulness. We therefore save ourselves from further trouble/s but if we continue to be dominating and arrogant then trouble/s would always be with us.

Would we be willing to humbly apologize to somebody whom we have offended? To reach-out or to apologize is hard to do but it’s also a redemptive experience for it will set us free from the bondage of guilt.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas