At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the
childlike.
Yes,
Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to
me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the
Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
+ + + + +
+ +
Reflection:
The story is
told of a man who was deeply sincere in his desire to know God. To fulfill this
longing, he read every book he could find about God. Yet, the more he filled
his mind with knowledge, the more distant God seemed to become. Confused and
searching for answers, he sought the counsel of a wise man.
The wise
man gently said, "Your dilemma is simple. As you become more learned about
God, you must also become more humble. Let the knowledge you gain from your
reading sink into your heart, not just remain in your head."
This wise
advice reminds us that knowing about God is not the same as truly knowing Him.
We may spend countless hours reading Scripture, studying spiritual books, or
listening to inspiring talks, but if our hearts are not transformed by
humility, we may miss the very God we seek. Knowledge can enlighten our minds,
but only humility opens our hearts to God's presence and allows His grace to
take root within us.
Do we desire to experience
more deeply the loving presence and movement of God in our lives? The key is
childlike humility. The more we humble ourselves before God, the more we
recognize our need for Him, trust in His wisdom, and welcome His abundant
graces. Like little children who depend completely on their loving father, we
are invited to surrender our pride, our self-sufficiency, and our desire to
rely solely on our own understanding.
Jesus Himself gives us the
perfect example. Whenever He prayed to the Father, He approached Him with
complete humility, love, and obedience. Although He is the Son of God, He never
sought His own glory but always fulfilled the Father's will. If Jesus embraced
humility in His relationship with the Father, how much more should we?
May we never allow
knowledge to inflate our pride but instead let it deepen our love for God and
for others. Let every truth we learn draw us closer to Christ, shape our
hearts, and inspire us to live with greater faith, obedience, and compassion.
For it is not merely what we know about God that transforms us, but how humbly
we allow Him to transform us from within.
Today, let us ask
ourselves: Are we simply filling our minds with knowledge about God, or are we
humbly opening our hearts so that we may truly know Him, love Him, and allow
Him to transform our lives each day?-Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus, "Pinasasalamatan
kita, Ama, Panginoon ng langit at lupa, sapagkat inilihim mo ang mga bagay na
ito sa marurunong at matatalino at inihayag sa mga may kaloobang tulad ng sa
bata.
Oo, Ama, sapagkat gayon ang ikinalulugod mo. "Ibinigay
sa akin ng aking Ama ang lahat ng bagay. Walang nakakikilala sa Anak kundi ang
Ama, at walang nakakikilala sa Ama kundi ang Anak at yaong marapating
pagpahayagan ng Anak."
+ + + +
+ + +
Repleksyon:
May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang lalaking taimtim ang hangaring
makilala ang Diyos. Upang matupad ang hangaring ito, binasa niya ang halos
lahat ng aklat na maaari niyang matagpuan tungkol sa Diyos.
Ngunit habang lalo niyang pinupuno ng kaalaman ang kanyang isip,
lalo namang tila nagiging malayo ang Diyos sa kanya. Nalito siya at naghanap ng
kasagutan, kaya't lumapit siya sa isang matalinong tao upang humingi ng payo.
Magiliw na sinabi ng matalinong tao, "Simple lamang ang iyong
suliranin. Habang dumarami ang iyong kaalaman tungkol sa Diyos, lalo ka ring
dapat maging mapagpakumbaba. Huwag mong hayaang manatili lamang sa iyong isipan
ang iyong natututuhan. Hayaan mong bumaba ito sa iyong puso at maging bahagi ng
iyong buhay."
Ang payong ito ay isang mahalagang paalala para sa ating lahat. Ang
maraming nalalaman tungkol sa Diyos ay hindi nangangahulugang tunay na natin
Siyang nakikilala. Maaaring marami tayong nababasang Banal na Kasulatan, mga
aklat na espirituwal, o mga aral tungkol sa pananampalataya, ngunit kung hindi
naman nagiging mapagpakumbaba ang ating puso, maaari nating hindi mapansin ang
mismong Diyos na ating hinahanap.
Ang kaalaman ay nagbibigay-liwanag sa ating isip, ngunit ang
kababaang-loob ang nagbubukas ng ating puso upang maranasan natin ang Kanyang
presensya at tanggapin ang Kanyang masaganang biyaya.
Nais ba nating higit pang maranasan ang pagkilos ng Diyos sa ating
buhay? Ang susi ay ang pagiging mapagpakumbaba na tulad ng isang bata. Kapag
tayo ay lumalapit sa Diyos nang may simpleng pananampalataya, buong
pagtitiwala, at mapagkumbabang puso, lalo nating kinikilala ang ating
pangangailangan sa Kanya at lalo nating binubuksan ang ating sarili sa Kanyang
pag-ibig, karunungan, at mga biyaya.
Inaanyayahan Niya tayong isuko ang ating
pagmamataas, ang labis na pagtitiwala sa ating sariling kakayahan, at ang
pagnanais na umasa lamang sa ating sariling pag-unawa.
Si Jesus mismo ang ating ganap na huwaran. Sa tuwing Siya ay
nananalangin sa Ama, lagi Siyang lumalapit nang may ganap na kababaang-loob,
pag-ibig, at pagsunod. Bagama't Siya ang Anak ng Diyos, hindi Niya hinanap ang
sariling karangalan kundi ang katuparan ng kalooban ng Ama. Kung ang ating
Panginoon ay nagpamalas ng gayong pagpapakumbaba, lalo na tayong mga tagasunod
Niya ay nararapat na mamuhay nang may kababaang-loob.
Nawa'y hindi tayo maging kuntento sa pagdaragdag lamang ng ating
kaalaman tungkol sa Diyos. Hilingin natin ang biyayang magkaroon ng pusong
mapagpakumbaba upang ang bawat salitang ating naririnig, bawat talatang ating
binabasa, at bawat aral na ating natututuhan ay maglapit sa atin kay Kristo at
magbago sa ating pamumuhay.
Sapagkat hindi ang dami ng ating nalalaman tungkol sa Diyos ang
tunay na nagpapabanal sa atin, kundi ang ating mapagpakumbabang pagtugon at
pagpapahintulot na baguhin Niya ang ating puso.
Sa araw na ito, tanungin natin ang ating sarili: Habang lumalago
ba ang ating kaalaman tungkol sa Diyos, lalo rin ba tayong nagiging
mapagpakumbaba at mas malapit sa Kanya? O baka naman pinupuno lamang natin ang
ating isipan ng kaalaman, ngunit nananatiling sarado ang ating puso sa
pagbabagong nais Niyang gawin sa atin?-Marino J. Dasmarinas
Jesus began to reproach the towns where
most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to
you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your
midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in
sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and
Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for
you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether
world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it
would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
The story is
told of a man who was deeply troubled by his many sins. Every now and then,
memories of them would return, filling him with guilt and robbing him of his
peace of mind. Though he tried to move on, the burden in his heart remained. A
friend noticed his troubled demeanor and gently asked what was weighing so
heavily on him.
After opening
his heart, his friend lovingly encouraged him to repent of all his sins through
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He humbled himself, sought God's mercy, and
experienced the forgiveness that only Jesus can give. From that moment on, the
heavy burden he had carried for so long was lifted, and his heart was filled
with a peace that the world could never offer.
In today's
Gospel, Jesus reproached the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida because they
refused to repent despite witnessing His mighty works. Their hearts remained
closed to His invitation to conversion. This Gospel invites us to pause and ask
ourselves: Why do we sometimes delay our repentance? Why do we continue to
cling to the very sins that wound our relationship with God?
Perhaps it is
because we become too attached to the things of this world and lose sight of
what truly matters. We may seek temporary pleasures, personal comfort, or
worldly success more than we seek the lasting joy of living in God's grace. Yet
if we truly love Jesus, our hearts will long to turn away from sin and return
to Him. That journey of conversion reaches a beautiful expression when we
humbly approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where Christ Himself waits to
forgive, heal, and restore us.
This is often
our human struggle. We desire God's blessings, peace, and eternal life, yet we
sometimes hesitate to let go of the sins that keep us from Him. What we may
fail to recognize is that every unrepented sin gradually weakens our communion
with God and steals the peace He longs to give us. Satan is real, and so is the
spiritual battle we face each day. Whenever we choose sin over God's will, we
allow the enemy to influence our hearts, and we begin to experience the
emptiness, restlessness, and darkness that sin inevitably brings.
On the other
hand, whenever we sincerely repent and entrust ourselves to God's boundless
mercy, His grace renews us from within. He breaks the chains that have held us
captive, heals the wounds caused by sin, and restores the joy of living as His
beloved children. No sin is greater than His mercy when we come to Him with
humble and repentant hearts.
Jesus
lovingly calls each one of us to repentance and invites us to encounter His
healing mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He longs to cleanse us from
the sins that have burdened us for so long and to fill our hearts with His
peace. Yet because He loves us perfectly, He never forces us to come to Him. He
respects the freedom He has given us and patiently waits for our response.
The choice is
ours. Will we continue walking in the darkness that sin brings, or will we step
into the light of Christ by embracing His loving invitation to repent? Today,
Jesus stands at the door of our hearts with open arms, ready to forgive,
restore, and make us new.
May we never
allow pride, fear, or attachment to sin to keep us from the healing embrace of
our Savior. Instead, may we courageously examine our hearts, trust completely
in His infinite mercy, and return to Him with sincere repentance. For every
step we take toward Jesus is met by His loving grace, and every repentant heart
becomes a dwelling place of His peace.
As we reflect
today, let us ask ourselves: What sin, attachment, or fear is Jesus asking us
to surrender today? Will we continue carrying the burden of sin, or will we
humbly come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and allow His mercy to
set us truly free?– Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinumbatan ni Jesus ang mga
bayang ginawan niya ng maraming kababalaghan sapagkat hindi sila nagsisi't
tumalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan. "Kawawa ka, Corazin! Kawawa ka
Betsaida! Sapagkat kung sa Tiro at Sidon ginawa ang mga kababalaghang ginawa sa
inyo, malaon na sanang nagdaramit ng sako at nauupo sa abo ang mga tagaroon
upang ipakilalang sila'y nagsisisi.
Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay
higit na mabigat ang sasapitin ninyo kaysa sasapitin ng mga taga-Tiro at
taga-Sidon. At ikaw, Capernaum, ibig mong maging mataas kaysa langit? Ibabagsak
ka sa Hades! Sapagkat kung sa Sodoma ginawa ang kababalaghang ginawa rito sa
inyo, sana'y nananatili pa ito hanggang ngayon. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa
Araw ng Paghuhukom ay higit na mabigat ang ipaparusa sa inyo kaysa dinanas ng
Sodoma."
+ + + + + + +
Repleksyon:
May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang
lalaking lubhang nababagabag dahil sa dami ng kanyang mga kasalanan.
Paulit-ulit itong bumabalik sa kanyang isipan, pinupuno ang kanyang puso ng
matinding pagsisisi at inaalis ang kanyang kapayapaan.
Pilit man niyang kalimutan ang kanyang
nakaraan, nananatiling mabigat ang kanyang kalooban. Napansin ito ng isang
kaibigan at buong malasakit na tinanong kung ano ang nagpapabigat sa kanyang
puso.
Nang maibukas niya ang kanyang
kalooban, buong pagmamahal siyang hinikayat ng kanyang kaibigan na magsisi sa
kanyang mga kasalanan at lumapit sa Sakramento ng Pakikipagkasundo (Kumpisal).
Buong pagpapakumbaba niyang hiniling ang awa ng Diyos at naranasan ang
kapatawarang tanging si Jesus lamang ang makapagkakaloob. Mula noon, nawala ang
mabigat na pasaning matagal niyang dinadala, at napuno ang kanyang puso ng
kapayapaang hindi kayang ibigay ng mundong ito.
Sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, sinaway ni Jesus
ang mga taga-Corazin at Bethsaida sapagkat tumanggi silang magsisi kahit
nasaksihan na nila ang Kanyang makapangyarihang mga gawa. Nanatiling sarado ang
kanilang mga puso sa Kanyang paanyaya ng pagbabagong-buhay. Inaanyayahan din
tayo ng Ebanghelyong ito na huminto sandali at tanungin ang ating mga sarili: Bakit
natin ipinagpapaliban ang pagsisisi? Bakit tayo kumakapit sa mga kasalanang
sumisira sa ating ugnayan sa Diyos?
Marahil ay dahil masyado tayong
nahuhumaling sa mga bagay ng mundong ito kaya nawawala sa ating paningin ang
tunay na mahalaga. Maaaring mas hinahangad natin ang pansamantalang kasiyahan,
sariling kaginhawahan, at tagumpay sa mundo kaysa sa kagalakang dulot ng
pamumuhay sa biyaya ng Diyos.
Ngunit kung tunay nating minamahal si
Jesus, nanaisin ng ating mga puso na talikuran ang kasalanan at muling
magbalik-loob sa Kanya. Ang paglalakbay na ito ng pagbabalik-loob ay
nagkakaroon ng ganap na kahulugan kapag buong kababaang-loob tayong lumalapit
sa Sakramento ng Pakikipagkasundo (Kumpisal), kung saan si Kristo mismo ang
naghihintay upang tayo ay patawarin, pagalingin, at ibalik sa Kanyang
mapagmahal na yakap.
Ito ang madalas nating pakikibaka
bilang mga tao. Nais nating matamo ang kapayapaan, pagpapala, at buhay na
walang hanggan, ngunit nag-aatubili tayong bitawan ang mga kasalanang naglalayo
sa atin sa Diyos. Ang hindi natin madalas namamalayan ay ang bawat kasalanang
hindi natin pinagsisisihan ay unti-unting nagpapahina sa ating pakikipag-isa sa
Kanya at umaagaw sa kapayapaang nais Niyang ipagkaloob sa atin.
Totoo si Satanas, at totoo rin ang
espirituwal na labanan na kinakaharap natin araw-araw. Sa tuwing pinipili natin
ang kasalanan kaysa sa kalooban ng Diyos, binibigyan natin ng puwang ang kaaway
upang impluwensiyahan ang ating mga puso, at unti-unti nating nararanasan ang
kawalan ng saysay, pagkabalisa, at kadilimang dulot ng kasalanan.
Ngunit kapag taos-puso tayong
nagsisisi at buong pagtitiwalang inilalagak ang ating sarili sa walang hanggang
awa ng Diyos, binabago Niya tayo mula sa ating kalooban. Pinuputol Niya ang mga
tanikalang matagal nang gumagapos sa atin, pinagagaling ang mga sugat na dulot
ng kasalanan, at ibinabalik ang kagalakang mamuhay bilang Kanyang minamahal na
mga anak. Walang kasalanang hihigit sa Kanyang awa kung lalapit lamang tayo sa
Kanya nang may kababaang-loob at tunay na pagsisisi.
Buong pagmamahal tayong tinatawag ni
Jesus sa pagsisisi at inaanyayahang maranasan ang Kanyang mapagpagaling na awa
sa Sakramento ng Pakikipagkasundo (Kumpisal). Nais Niyang linisin tayo sa mga
kasalanang matagal nang nagpapabigat sa ating mga puso at punuin tayo ng
Kanyang kapayapaan. Ngunit dahil tunay Niya tayong minamahal, hindi Niya tayo
pinipilit. Iginagalang Niya ang kalayaang ipinagkaloob Niya sa atin at matiyaga
Siyang naghihintay sa ating pagtugon.
Nasa ating mga kamay ang pagpapasya.
Patuloy ba tayong lalakad sa kadilimang dulot ng kasalanan, o pipiliin nating
lumakad sa liwanag ni Kristo sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap sa Kanyang paanyayang
magsisi? Sa mismong sandaling ito, nakatayo si Jesus sa pintuan ng ating mga
puso, bukas ang Kanyang mga bisig, handang magpatawad, magpanibago, at bigyan
tayo ng panibagong buhay.
Huwag nawa nating hayaang ang ating
pagmamataas, takot, o labis na pagkakapit sa kasalanan ang humadlang sa atin
upang maranasan ang mapagpagaling na yakap ng ating Tagapagligtas. Sa halip, nawa'y
magkaroon tayo ng lakas ng loob na siyasatin ang ating mga puso, lubos na
magtiwala sa Kanyang walang hanggang awa, at taos-pusong magbalik-loob sa
Kanya. Sapagkat sa bawat hakbang na ginagawa natin palapit kay Jesus,
sinalubong na tayo ng Kanyang biyaya, at ang bawat pusong nagsisisi ay nagiging
tahanan ng Kanyang kapayapaan.
Sa ating pagninilay ngayon, tanungin
natin ang ating mga sarili: Ano ang kasalanan, maling pagkakapit, o takot na
hinihiling ni Jesus na isuko natin sa Kanya? Patuloy pa ba nating papasanin ang
bigat ng kasalanan, o buong kababaang-loob ba tayong lalapit sa Sakramento ng
Pakikipagkasundo upang maranasan ang Kanyang awa na tunay na nagpapalaya,
nagpapagaling, at nagbibigay ng bagong buhay?– Marino J. Dasmarinas
(Jesus said to the Apostles) Do not think
that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace
but the sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter
against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s
enemies will be those of his household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of
me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of
me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it.
“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever
receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet because he
is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous
man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever
gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he
is a disciple–amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his
reward.”
When Jesus
finished giving these commands to his Twelve disciples, he went away from that
place to teach and to preach in their towns.
+ + + + +
+ +
Reflection:
The story is
told of a man who longed to bring peace to his fractured family. One night, he
had a dream in which Jesus said to him, “You need to become a priest for
healing to come to your family.” At first, this seemed impossible. The young
man loved the pleasures and attractions of the world, yet he loved his family
even more. Deep within his heart, he knew that if he truly desired healing, he
had to trust and obey the Lord's call.
So, he heeded
the voice of Jesus. He entered the seminary to study for the priesthood, and
whenever he came home during his vacations, he gathered his family for prayer
and recollection. Little by little, God's grace began to work in their hearts.
The family that had once been divided and wounded gradually became united in
love. In time, he was ordained a priest, and just as Jesus had promised, his
vocation became a channel of healing and reconciliation for his family.
In today's
Gospel, Jesus tells us that He can bring division even within a family. At
first, this may seem difficult to understand. Yet Jesus does not desire
division for its own sake. Rather, whenever we choose to follow Him faithfully
and live according to His teachings, not everyone around us may immediately
welcome that decision. Our commitment to Christ may be met with
misunderstanding, opposition, or even rejection by those closest to us.
But we should
never lose heart. If we remain faithful, patient, and loving, and if we
continue to entrust our families to Jesus in prayer, the temporary divisions
that arise because of our fidelity to Him can, in God's perfect time, become
the very path to healing, reconciliation, and lasting peace. Time and again,
Jesus has shown that no family is beyond the reach of His transforming love.
His grace is always greater than our deepest wounds, and His mercy is always
stronger than our brokenness.
Have we
invited Jesus into the joys, struggles, and wounds of our family life? Have we
shared His Word, prayed together, and allowed His presence to shape our homes?
Perhaps we have delayed because we fear rejection or believe that nothing will
change. Yet today, Jesus gently reminds us that every journey of healing begins
with one faithful step of trust.
May we never
grow weary of bringing Christ into our homes. Let us patiently sow the seeds of
His Word, persevere in prayer, and entrust every member of our family to His
loving Heart. Even if we do not immediately see the fruits of our efforts, we
can be confident that God is already at work in ways we cannot yet see.
Today, will
we allow Jesus to begin—or continue—His healing work in our families through
our faithful witness, loving perseverance, and unwavering trust in Him?—Marino
J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga apostol, "Huwag ninyong isiping naparito ako upang magdala
ng kapayapaan sa lupa; naparito ako upang magdala ng tabak, hindi kapayapaan.
Sapagkat naparito ako upang papaglabanin ang anak na lalaki at ang kanyang ama,
ang anak na babae at ang kanyang ina, ang manugang na babae at ang kanyang
biyenang babae. at ang kaaway ng isang tao'y ang kanya na ring kasambahay.
"Ang umiibig sa ama o sa ina
nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang umiibig sa anak na
lalaki o babae nang higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. Ang hindi
nagpapasan nang kanyang krus at sumusunod sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa
akin. Ang nag-iingat ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito, at ang
nawawalan ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay magkakamit nito."
"Ang tumatanggap sa inyo ay
tumatanggap sa akin, at ang tumatanggap sa akin ay tumatanggap sa nagsugo sa
akin. Ang tumatanggap sa isang propeta dahil sa siya'y propeta ay tatanggap ng
gantimpala ukol sa propeta. At ang tumatanggap sa isang taong matuwid dahil sa
siya'y matuwid ay tatanggap ng gantimpalang nauukol sa taong matuwid.
At sinumang magbigay ng kahit isang
basong tubig na malamig sa isa sa maliliit na ito dahil sa ito'y alagad ko--
tinitiyak kong tatanggap siya ng gantimpala." Matapos tagubilinan ang
labingdalawang alagad, umalis si Jesus upang magturo at mangaral sa mga bayang
malapit doon.
+ + + + + + +
Repleksyon:
May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang lalaking matagal nang
naghahangad na magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa kanilang pamilyang watak-watak. Isang
gabi, nanaginip siya at sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, “Kailangan kang maging pari
upang dumating ang kagalingan at pagkakasundo sa inyong pamilya.”
Sa simula, tila napakahirap nitong tanggapin. Mahal ng
binatang ito ang mga kasiyahan at makamundong pamumuhay, ngunit higit niyang
minahal ang kanyang pamilya. Sa kaibuturan ng kanyang puso, naunawaan niyang
kung tunay niyang ninanais ang paggaling ng kanilang pamilya, kailangan niyang
magtiwala at tumugon sa tawag ng Panginoon.
Kaya't sinunod niya ang tinig ni Jesus. Pumasok siya sa
seminaryo upang mag-aral para sa pagkapari. Tuwing siya ay nagbabakasyon,
tinitipon niya ang kanyang pamilya sa kanilang tahanan upang manalangin at
magnilay ng Salita ng Diyos.
Unti-unti, kumilos ang biyaya ng Diyos sa kanilang mga
puso. Ang pamilyang dati'y puno ng sugat, hidwaan, at pagkakawatak-watak ay
dahan-dahang napalitan ng pagmamahalan at pagkakaisa. At nang siya'y
maordinahan bilang pari, nagkatotoo ang pangako ni Jesus—ang kanyang bokasyon
ay naging daan ng kagalingan at pagkakasundo para sa kanilang pamilya.
Sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, sinabi ni Jesus na maaari Siyang
maging dahilan ng pagkakahati-hati sa loob ng isang pamilya. Sa unang tingin,
mahirap itong maunawaan. Ngunit hindi nais ni Jesus ang pagkakabahagi para sa
sarili nitong layunin.
Sa halip, kapag pinili nating mamuhay ayon sa Kanyang mga
aral at maging tapat sa Kanya, hindi lahat ng ating mga mahal sa buhay ay agad
na tatanggap o makauunawa sa ating pasiya. Maaaring makaranas tayo ng pagtutol,
hindi pagkakaunawaan, o maging pagtanggi mula sa mga pinakamalapit sa atin.
Ngunit huwag tayong panghinaan ng loob. Kapag nanatili
tayong tapat sa Panginoon, matiyaga sa pagmamahal, at patuloy na
ipinagkakatiwala sa Kanya ang ating mga pamilya sa panalangin, ang
pansamantalang mga hidwaan ay maaaring maging daan upang maghilom ang mga
sugat, maghari ang pagpapatawad, at maibalik ang tunay na kapayapaan.
Paulit-ulit nang pinatunayan ni Jesus na walang pamilyang
napakalayo upang hindi maabot ng Kanyang pag-ibig. Higit na makapangyarihan ang
Kanyang biyaya kaysa sa ating mga sugat, at higit na dakila ang Kanyang awa
kaysa sa ating pagkukulang at pagkasira.
Naitanong na ba natin sa ating sarili kung tunay na nating
inimbitahan si Jesus na maging sentro ng ating buhay-pamilya? Ibinabahagi ba
natin ang Kanyang Salita, sama-sama ba tayong nananalangin, at hinahayaan ba
nating baguhin Niya ang ating mga puso at tahanan?
Marahil ay nag-aatubili tayo dahil natatakot tayong hindi
tayo maunawaan o iniisip nating wala nang magbabago. Ngunit ngayon, marahang
inaanyayahan tayo ni Jesus na magtiwala, sapagkat ang bawat himala ng
kagalingan ay nagsisimula sa isang pusong handang sumunod sa Kanya.
Nawa'y hindi tayo mapagod sa pagdadala kay Hesus sa ating
mga tahanan. Patuloy nating itanim ang Kanyang Salita, magtiyaga sa panalangin,
at ipagkatiwala sa Kanya ang bawat miyembro ng ating pamilya. Kahit hindi pa
natin nakikita ang bunga ng ating mga pagsisikap, makatitiyak tayong tahimik
nang kumikilos ang Diyos sa mga paraang hindi pa natin nakikita.
Ngayon, handa ba nating hayaang si Jesus ang maghilom ng
mga sugat sa ating pamilya sa pamamagitan ng ating katapatan, pagtitiyaga, at
pagmamahal? O patuloy ba nating ipagpapaliban ang Kanyang paanyaya, samantalang
ang ating pamilya ay naghihintay na maranasan ang kapayapaan at kagalingang
Siya lamang ang makapagbibigay? —Marino J.
Dasmarinas
On that day, Jesus went out of the house
and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into
a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to
them at length in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed,
some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had
little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the
sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell
among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich
soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold. Whoever has ears
ought to hear.”
+ + + ++ + +
Reflection:
Do we give time to listen to Jesus?
Whenever Jesus speaks, everyone listens
because everything He says is filled with wisdom. Who would not want to listen
to someone who imparts true wisdom? We all long to hear words that bring hope,
truth, peace, and life. No one can speak to our hearts as Jesus does, for His
words are not only wise—they have the power to transform our lives.
But how can we listen to Jesus in these
smartphone- and social media-dominated times, when countless voices compete for
our attention every day? First, we listen to Him by reading and reflecting on
His life and teachings in the Bible. Many of us no longer make time to open
God's Word, even for a few quiet moments.
Yet we often find time for many worldly
pursuits that may entertain us for a while but rarely bring lasting peace. When
we allow God's Word to dwell in our hearts, we discover that His voice gently
guides us, strengthens us, and reminds us that we are never alone.
Second, we listen to Jesus through our
prayerful and attentive participation at Holy Mass. Because of the many
distractions we create for ourselves, it can be difficult to set aside time for
this holy and sacred celebration.
Yet whenever we choose to place the Lord
first, He never allows our sacrifices to go unnoticed. At every Mass, Jesus
nourishes us with His Word and gives Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist,
filling us with the grace, strength, and peace that only He can give.
Third, we listen to Jesus by spending time
with Him in the Adoration Chapel. There, in the quietness of His presence, we
do not need many words. We simply remain with Him, allowing Him to speak to the
depths of our hearts.
If we can spend hours each day using our
smartphones or scrolling through social media, can we not also set aside even a
few moments to be with the Lord? The time we give to Jesus is never wasted.
Every moment spent in His presence draws us closer to Him and transforms us
little by little into the people He calls us to be.
If only we would make the Lord our highest
priority, we would become like the seed that fell on rich soil and produced a
harvest—some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. The more we listen to
Jesus, the more our hearts are changed.
The more we remain with Him, the more we
learn to love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, and serve as He serves. His
voice quiets our fears, renews our hope, and leads us along the path that
brings true joy and everlasting life.
Today, Jesus continues to speak. The
question is not whether He is calling us, but whether we are willing to pause,
listen, and respond. Amid the busyness and noise of our daily lives, will we
choose His voice over the countless distractions that surround us? Will we make
time for the One who gave everything for us, so that our hearts may be
transformed and our lives may bear abundant fruit for His glory?
Do we truly give time to listen to the
Lord?—Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noon ding araw na iyon, si Hesus ay lumabas ng bahay at naupo sa tabi ng lawa. Pinagkalipumpunan siya ng makapal na tao, kaya sumakay siya sa isang bangka at doon naupo. Nasa dalampasigan naman ang mga tao. At nagturo siya ng maraming bagay sa pamamagitan ng mga talinghaga.
“May isang magsasakang lumabas upang maghasik. Sa kanyang paghahasik ay may binhing nalaglag sa tabi ng daan. Dumating ang mga ibon at tinuka ang mga iyon. May binhi namang nalaglag sa kabatuhan. Sapagkat manipis lang ang lupa roon, sumibol agad ang binhing iyon, ngunit nang mapabilad sa matinding sikat ng araw ay natuyo, palibhasa’y walang gaanong ugat.
May binhi namang nalaglag sa dawagan; lumago ang mga dawag at ininis ang mga iyon. Ngunit ang binhing nalaglag sa mabuting lupa ay nag-uhay: may tigsasandaan, may tig-aanimnapu, at may tigtatatlumpung butil ang bawat uhay. Ang may pandinig ay makinig!” + + + + + + +
Repleksyon:
Naglalaan ba tayo ng panahon upang makinig kay Jesus?
Kapag nagsasalita si Jesus, ang lahat ay nakikinig sapagkat ang bawat salitang namumutawi sa Kanyang bibig ay puno ng karunungan. Sino ba naman ang hindi magnanais makinig sa isang nagbibigay ng tunay na karunungan? Lahat tayo ay naghahangad makarinig ng mga salitang nagbibigay ng pag-asa, katotohanan, kapayapaan, at buhay.
Walang sinuman ang makapagsasalita sa ating puso tulad ni Jesus, sapagkat ang Kanyang mga salita ay hindi lamang puno ng karunungan—may kapangyarihan din itong baguhin ang ating buhay.
Ngunit paano nga ba tayo makikinig kay Jesus sa panahong ang ating pansin ay madaling maagaw ng mga smartphone at social media, kung saan napakaraming tinig ang araw-araw na nakikipag-agawan sa ating atensyon?
Una, nakikinig tayo sa Kanya sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa at pagninilay sa Kanyang buhay at mga turo na matatagpuan sa Banal na Kasulatan o Biblia. Marami sa atin ang hindi na naglalaan ng kahit ilang sandali upang buksan at pagnilayan ang Salita ng Diyos. Pero, nagkakaroon tayo ng panahon para sa maraming makamundong gawain na maaaring magbigay ng panandaliang aliw, ngunit bihirang makapaghatid ng tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan.
Kapag hinahayaan nating manahan ang Salita ng Diyos sa ating puso, mararanasan nating banayad Niya tayong ginagabayan, pinalalakas, at pinapaalalahanang hindi tayo kailanman nag-iisa.
Ikalawa, nakikinig tayo kay Jesus sa pamamagitan ng ating taimtim at buong pusong pakikibahagi sa Banal na Misa. Dahil sa maraming distraksiyong tayo rin ang lumilikha, kung minsan ay nahihirapan tayong maglaan ng oras para sa banal at sagradong pagdiriwang na ito. Ngunit kapag pinili nating unahin ang Panginoon, hindi Niya kailanman hinahayaang mawalan ng kabuluhan ang ating munting sakripisyo.
Sa bawat Banal na Misa, pinapakain tayo ni Jesus sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang Salita at ibinibigay Niya ang Kanyang sarili sa Banal na Eukaristiya, upang punuin tayo ng biyaya, lakas, at kapayapaang Siya lamang ang makapagkakaloob.
Ikatlo, nakikinig tayo kay Jesus sa pamamagitan ng pananatili sa Kanyang presensya sa Adoration Chapel. Doon, sa katahimikan ng Kanyang piling, hindi natin kailangang magsalita nang marami. Sapat nang manatili tayo sa Kanyang harapan at hayaang Siya ang mangusap sa kaibuturan ng ating puso.
Kung nakagugugol tayo ng maraming oras sa paggamit ng ating mga smartphone o sa walang tigil na pag-scroll sa social media, hindi ba tayo makapaglalaan kahit ilang sandali upang makasama ang Panginoon? Ang bawat sandaling inilalaan natin kay Jesus ay hindi kailanman nasasayang. Sa halip, ang bawat sandaling kasama natin Siya ay lalo tayong inilalapit sa Kanya at unti-unti tayong binabago upang maging mga taong ayon sa Kanyang kalooban.
Kung gagawin lamang nating pinakamahalagang prayoridad ang Panginoon, matutulad tayo sa binhing nahulog sa matabang lupa na namunga nang sagana—ang iba'y sandaan, ang iba'y animnapu, at ang iba'y tatlumpung ulit. Habang lalo tayong nakikinig kay Jesus, lalo ring nababago ang ating puso.
Habang lalo tayong nananatili sa Kanyang piling, lalo nating natututuhan ang magmahal tulad Niya, magpatawad tulad Niya, at maglingkod tulad Niya. Ang Kanyang tinig ang nagpapatahimik sa ating mga pangamba, nagbibigay ng panibagong pag-asa, at umaakay sa atin sa landas ng tunay na kagalakan at buhay na walang hanggan.
Hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy pa ring nagsasalita si Jesus. Ang tanong ay hindi kung tinatawag ba Niya tayo, kundi kung handa ba tayong huminto, makinig, at tumugon sa Kanyang paanyaya. Sa gitna ng ingay, abala, at napakaraming bagay na umaagaw sa ating pansin, pipiliin ba nating pakinggan ang Kanyang tinig kaysa sa mga tinig ng sanlibutan?
Maglalaan ba tayo ng panahon para sa Kanya na nagbigay ng Kanyang buong sarili alang-alang sa atin, upang mabago ang ating puso at mamunga ang ating buhay para sa Kanyang kaluwalhatian?
Tunay nga bang naglalaan tayo ng panahon upang makinig sa Panginoon? O baka naman mas marami tayong oras para sa mga bagay na panandalian lamang kaysa sa Kanya?—Marino J. Dasmarinas
(Jesus said
to the twelve Apostles) “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his
master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the
slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the
house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!“Therefore do not be afraid of them.
Nothing is
concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I
say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered,
proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul
and body in Gehenna.
Are not two
sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without
your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not
be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me
before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies
me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
+ + + ++ +
Reflection:
The story is
told of a dying man who rarely attended Holy Mass and was very much afraid to
die. When his relatives told him that they would call a priest to administer
the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, he asked them, “Am I going to die
already?”
To make a
long story short, the priest arrived and administered the sacrament. After the
priest left, the dying man told his relatives, “Now I am prepared to die.” He
went from being afraid of death to facing it with peace and courage because
Jesus had strengthened him through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
In that sacred encounter, he discovered that the Lord does not merely prepare
us for death—He prepares us for eternal life.
Are we not
afraid to die? Many of us are. But why do we fear death? Perhaps it is because
we have not yet fully encountered Jesus or allowed Him to become the center of
our lives. When our hearts remain attached only to the things of this world, death
can seem frightening because it appears to take everything away. But when we
truly know and follow Jesus, we begin to see death not as the end, but as the
doorway to everlasting life with Him.
When Jesus
becomes the foundation of our lives, He fills us with the courage to face
whatever trials may come. We are no longer afraid to look earthly death in the
face because we know that our hope rests not in this passing world but in God's
promise of eternal life. Christ has conquered sin and death, and those who
belong to Him can face the future with confidence, trusting that He will never
abandon us.
Each day is
an invitation for us to draw closer to Jesus, to receive His grace through the
sacraments, and to live in faithful obedience to His will. As we walk with Him
day by day, He gradually replaces our fear with His peace, our uncertainty with
hope, and our weakness with His strength.
If the Lord
were to call us today, could we honestly say, “Now we are prepared”? Are we
living each day in such a way that we are ready to meet Jesus with joyful
hearts, confident that our lives have been rooted in His love and faithfully
lived for His glory?– Marino J. Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga apostol,
"Walang alagad na higit kaysa kanyang guro, at walang aliping higit sa
kanyang panginoon. Masiyahan ang alagad na matulad sa kanyang guro, at ang
alipin na matulad sa kanyang panginoon. Kung ang puno ng sambahayan ay tinawag
nilang Beelzebul, lalo na nilang aalimurahin ang kanyang mga
kasambahay!"
"Kaya huwag kayong matakot sa kanila. Walang natatago na
di malalantad, o nalilihim na di mabubunyag. Ang sinasabi ko sa inyo sa dilim,
ulitin ninyo sa liwanag; at ang ibinulong sa inyo ay inyong ipagsigawan. Huwag
ninyong katakutan ang pumapatay ng katawan ngunit hindi nakapapatay ng
kaluluwa.
Sa halip, ang katakutan ninyo'y ang nakapapatay ng kaluluwa
at katawan sa impyerno. Hindi ba ipinagbibili ang maya nang dalawa isang pera?
Gayunman, Kahit isa sa kanila'y hindi nahuhulog sa lupa kung hindi kalooban ng
inyong Ama. Maging ang buhok ninyo'y bilang na lahat. Kaya, huwag kayong
matakot; higit kayong mahalaga kaysa libu-libong maya."
"Ang sinumang kumilala sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay
kikilalanin ko rin naman sa harapan ng aking Amang nasa langit. Ngunit ang
magtatwa sa akin sa harapan ng mga tao ay itatatwa ko rin naman sa harapan ng
aking Amang nasa langit."
+ + + + + + +
Repleksyon:
May isang kuwento
tungkol sa isang lalaking naghihingalo na bihirang dumalo sa Banal na Misa at
labis na natatakot sa kamatayan. Nang sabihin sa kanya ng kanyang mga
kamag-anak na tatawag sila ng pari upang tanggapin niya ang Sakramento ng
Pagpapahid ng Langis sa mga Maysakit, agad siyang nagtanong, “Mamamatay na ba
ako?”
Sa madaling sabi,
dumating ang pari at ipinagkaloob sa kanya ang sakramento. Pagkaalis ng pari,
sinabi niya sa kanyang mga kamag-anak, “Handa na akong mamatay.” Ang dating
takot sa kamatayan ay napalitan ng kapayapaan at katatagan, sapagkat pinalakas
siya ni Hesus sa pamamagitan ng Sakramento ng Pagpapahid ng Langis sa mga
Maysakit.
Sa banal na
sandaling iyon, natuklasan niya na ang Panginoon ay hindi lamang naghahanda sa
atin para sa kamatayan, kundi lalo't higit ay inihahanda Niya tayo para sa
buhay na walang hanggan.
Hindi ba't tayong
lahat ay natatakot ding mamatay? Marami sa atin ang umamin na mayroon tayong
ganitong takot. Ngunit bakit nga ba tayo natatakot? Marahil ay dahil hindi pa
natin lubos na nakikilala si Hesus o hindi pa natin Siya tunay na hinahayaang
maging sentro ng ating buhay.
Kapag ang ating
puso ay labis na nakakapit sa mga bagay ng mundong ito, ang kamatayan ay tila
isang nakakatakot na wakas. Ngunit kapag tunay nating nakilala, minahal, at
sinunod si Hesus, unti-unti nating mauunawaan na ang kamatayan ay hindi
katapusan, kundi daan patungo sa buhay na walang hanggan kasama Niya.
Kapag si Hesus
ang naging matibay na pundasyon ng ating buhay, binibigyan Niya tayo ng lakas
ng loob upang harapin ang anumang pagsubok na dumating. Hindi na tayo natatakot
na harapin ang kamatayan, sapagkat alam nating ang ating pag-asa ay hindi
nakasalalay sa mundong lumilipas, kundi sa pangako ng Diyos na buhay na walang
hanggan.
Dinaig na ni
Kristo ang kasalanan at kamatayan, kaya't ang mga nananatili sa Kanya ay
maaaring mamuhay nang may kapayapaan, pag-asa, at matatag na pananampalataya.
Bawat araw ay
paanyaya ng Panginoon para lalo tayong lumapit sa Kanya, tumanggap ng Kanyang
biyaya sa pamamagitan ng mga sakramento, at mamuhay ayon sa Kanyang banal na
kalooban. Habang araw-araw tayong lumalakad kasama Niya, unti-unti Niyang
pinapalitan ang ating takot ng Kanyang kapayapaan, ang ating pangamba ng
Kanyang pag-asa, at ang ating kahinaan ng Kanyang lakas.
Kung tatawagin
tayo ng Panginoon sa araw na ito, masasabi rin kaya natin nang buong puso,
“Handa na po ako”? Nabubuhay ba tayo sa paraang handa tayong humarap kay Hesus
anumang oras, na may pusong puspos ng pananampalataya, pag-asa, at pag-ibig? O
may mga bagay pa bang kailangan nating isuko at ipagkatiwala sa Kanya upang
matagpuan natin ang tunay na kapayapaan at maging handa sa buhay na walang
hanggan?– Marino J. Dasmarinas
(Jesus said to the twelve Apostles) “Behold, I am
sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and
simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge
you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my
sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over, do not worry about how you
are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what
you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father
speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father
his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name, but
whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town,
flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”
+ + + + + + +
Reflection:
How far are we willing to go because of
our love for Jesus?
Would we be willing to lay down our lives so
that His teachings may continue to live on and take root in the hearts of
others?
Today, perhaps more than ever, Jesus calls
us to be His faithful disciples because we see our world gradually being
enveloped by the culture of secularization. Little by little, many people are
drifting away from God, and His truth is often set aside in favor of worldly
values. In the face of this growing reality, how will we respond? Will we
simply stand by, remain indifferent, and allow the mission of Jesus to fade
from our homes, our communities, and our hearts?
If we refuse to act because we fear
sacrifice, rejection, or persecution, what will become of our world? It will slowly
be shaped by people who no longer know, love, or worship God. As disciples of
Christ, we cannot remain silent when so many are longing—perhaps
unknowingly—for the hope, truth, and salvation that only Jesus can give.
We only need to look around us. Practices
such as abortion have become widespread and legal in many countries, and
divorce has likewise become increasingly accepted. These realities remind us
that many hearts are drifting farther from God's plan. One reason is that many
have become reluctant to offer themselves wholeheartedly in the service of
Jesus. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking, "As long as my family
and I are doing well, that is enough." Yet the Gospel calls us to look
beyond ourselves and to become instruments of God's love for others.
Our indifference to the mission of Jesus
contributes, little by little, to the erosion of the moral and spiritual values
of society. Therefore, we must awaken from our complacency and faithfully do
our part—no matter how small—to proclaim the Gospel through our words, our
actions, and the witness of our lives. We no longer do this only for ourselves
but also for future generations, especially for our children and those who will
come after us.
Just imagine a generation growing up with
only a faint understanding of who Jesus is. What kind of world will they
inherit if they are never guided to know His love, trust His mercy, and follow
His teachings? Our witness today may become the faith that inspires tomorrow's
generation to walk with Christ.
May we never allow fear, comfort, or
indifference to keep us from answering the Lord's call. Instead, may we
courageously embrace whatever sacrifices are necessary so that others may
encounter Jesus through us. Every prayer we offer, every act of love we
perform, every truth we courageously proclaim, and every sacrifice we willingly
embrace can become a seed that God uses to transform a heart and renew the
world.
Today, Jesus is asking each of us: Will we
choose the comfort of silence, or will we courageously become His witnesses so
that future generations may come to know, love, and follow Him?— Marino J.
Dasmarinas
Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus
sa kanyang mga apostol, "Ngayon, sinusugo ko kayo na parang mga tupa sa
gitna ng mga asong gubat. Maging matalino kayo, gaya ng mga ahas, at matapat,
gaya ng mga kalapati. Mag-ingat kayo, sapagkat may mga taong magkakanulo sa
inyo sa mga hukuman; at hahagupitin nila kayo sa mga sinagoga.
Dahil sa akin, ihaharap kayo sa mga gobernador at mga hari, at
magpapatotoo kayo sa harapan nila at ng mga Hentil. Kapag nililitis na kayo,
huwag kayong mabalisa tungkol sa sasabihin ninyo o kung paano ninyo sasabihin.
Pagdating ng oras, ito'y ipagkakaloob sa inyo. Sapagkat hindi kayo ang
magsasalita kundi ang Espiritu ng inyong Ama ang magsasalita sa pamamagitan
ninyo.
"Ipagkakanulo
ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang kapatid upang ipapatay; gayon din ang gagawin ng
ama sa kanyang anak. Lalabanan ng mga anak ang kanilang mga magulang, at
ipapapatay. Kapopootan kayo ng lahat dahil sa akin; ngunit ang manatiling tapat
hanggang wakas ang siyang maliligtas. Kapag inuusig nila kayo sa isang bayan,
tumakas kayo sa kasunod. Sinasabi ko sa inyo: hindi pa ninyo napupuntahan ang
lahat ng bayan ng Israel ay darating na ang Anak ng Tao."
+ + + + + + +
Repleksyon:
Hanggang saan ba tayo dadalhin ng
ating pagmamahal kay Jesus?
Handa ba tayong ialay maging ang
ating buhay upang ang Kanyang mga aral ay patuloy na mabuhay at mamunga sa puso
ng marami?
Sa panahong ito, marahil higit
kailanman, higit tayong tinatawagan ni Jesus na maging tapat Niyang mga alagad
sapagkat nakikita nating unti-unting kinakain ang ating mundo ng kultura ng
sekularismo at materyalismo. Marami ang unti-unting lumalayo sa Diyos, at ang
Kanyang katotohanan ay napapalitan ng mga pagpapahalaga ng sanlibutan.
Sa harap ng ganitong katotohanan,
paano tayo tutugon? Mananatili na lamang ba tayong tahimik, walang pakialam, at
hahayaan na lamang nating unti-unting maglaho ang misyon ni Jesus sa ating mga
tahanan, pamayanan, at maging sa ating mga puso?
Kung pipiliin nating walang gawin
dahil natatakot tayong magsakripisyo, makaranas ng pagtanggi, o dumanas ng
pag-uusig, ano ang magiging kinabukasan ng ating mundo? Unti-unti itong
mahuhubog ng mga taong hindi na nakakikilala, nagmamahal, at sumasamba sa Diyos.
Bilang mga alagad ni Hesus, hindi
tayo maaaring manatiling tahimik habang napakarami ang naghahanap—marahil hindi
man nila namamalayan—ng pag-asa, katotohanan, at kaligtasang tanging si Jesus
lamang ang makapagbibigay.
Tingnan lamang natin ang ating
paligid. Ang aborsyon ay laganap na at legal na sa maraming bansa, at gayundin
ang diborsyo na lalo pang tinatanggap ng lipunan. Ang mga pangyayaring ito ay
paalala na unti-unting lumalayo ang maraming puso sa plano ng Diyos. Isa sa mga
dahilan nito ay ang pag-aatubili ng marami na ialay ang kanilang sarili sa
paglilingkod kay Hesus.
Madali tayong mahulog sa pag-iisip
na, "Basta't maayos ang buhay ko at ng aking pamilya ay sapat na
iyon." Ngunit tinatawagan tayo ng Ebanghelyo na lumampas sa ating sariling
kapakanan at maging kasangkapan ng pag-ibig ng Diyos para sa iba.
Ang ating pagwawalang-bahala sa
misyon ni Jesus ay unti-unting nag-aambag sa paghina ng moral at espirituwal na
pagpapahalaga ng lipunan. Kaya't panahon na upang tayo'y magising sa ating
pagiging kampante at gawin ang ating bahagi—gaano man ito kaliit—upang
ipalaganap ang Ebanghelyo sa pamamagitan ng ating mga salita, gawa, at mabuting
halimbawa. Hindi na lamang natin ito ginagawa para sa ating sarili, kundi para
rin sa mga susunod na henerasyon, lalo na sa ating mga anak at sa mga darating
pa.
Isipin natin ang isang henerasyong
lumalaki na halos walang pagkakilala kay Jesus. Ano kaya ang magiging
kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya at ng ating lipunan kung hindi nila
mararanasan ang Kanyang pag-ibig, awa, at katotohanan? Ang ating katapatan
ngayon ay maaaring maging binhing magbubunga ng pananampalataya sa buhay ng
marami bukas.
Nawa'y hindi natin hayaang manaig ang
takot, kaginhawaan, o pagwawalang-bahala sa ating puso. Sa halip, nawa'y buong
tapang nating yakapin ang anumang sakripisyong kailangan upang mas marami pa
ang makatagpo kay Jesus sa pamamagitan natin.
Ang bawat panalangin, bawat
kabutihang ating ginagawa, bawat katotohanang ating ipinahahayag, at bawat
sakripisyong ating iniaalay ay maaaring gamitin ng Diyos upang baguhin ang
isang puso at magpanibago ng ating mundo.
Ngayon, personal tayong tinatanong ni
Hesus:Pipiliin ba nating manahimik at manatili sa ating kaginhawaan, o buong
tapang ba nating isasabuhay at ipahahayag ang ating pananampalataya upang
makilala, mahalin, at sundan Siya ng mga susunod na henerasyon?
Kapag dumating ang araw na tayo'y
humarap sa Panginoon, masasabi ba nating naging tapat tayong saksi ng Kanyang
pag-ibig at ginawa natin ang ating bahagi upang maipasa ang pananampalataya sa
mga darating pang henerasyon?—Marino J. Dasmarinas
Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go,
make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have
received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your
belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking
stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look
for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a
house, wish it peace.
If the house
is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words go outside that house or
town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for
that town.”
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Reflection:
The story is
told of a righteous man who often reflected on the Kingdom of God. He would ask
himself, "When will I experience the Kingdom of God?" Then, without
warning, he suffered a heart attack and died. His soul was ushered by an angel
into heaven to be with Jesus.
The Kingdom
of God comes to us through the many avenues of life, and one of these avenues
is our death. Whether we are ready or not, that moment will come for each one
of us. If we were asked today, "Are we prepared to meet the Lord?"
many, if not all, of us would probably answer, "Not yet," because we
are still occupied with the many concerns, responsibilities, and pursuits of
this earthly life.
We spend so
much of our time working for things that will eventually pass away. But have we
also been investing our time and energy in the things of God? Are we allowing
our hearts to grow each day in faith, love, mercy, and obedience? Are we
striving to deepen our friendship with Jesus by serving others, forgiving those
who have hurt us, and living according to His will?
Jesus'
instructions to His apostles are also His marching orders for us today:
"Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and drive out
demons." In other words, Jesus calls us to become instruments of His healing,
compassion, hope, and love.
While we may
not literally perform miracles as the apostles did, we are all called to bring
His life-giving presence into the lives of others, especially the poor, the
forgotten, the lonely, and those who are burdened by suffering. Whenever we
freely give of ourselves, offer encouragement, extend forgiveness, or share
what God has entrusted to us, we become living witnesses of His Kingdom.
Will we
receive material or financial rewards for faithfully carrying out Jesus'
mission? Perhaps not. Yet our greatest reward has never been earthly wealth,
recognition, or success. Our greatest reward is the joy of walking with Christ
now and the hope of dwelling with Him forever. Every act of love, every
sacrifice made for His sake, and every faithful step of obedience prepares our
hearts for our eternal home with Him.
Life is
fleeting, and everything we possess in this world will one day be left behind.
Wealth, achievements, and worldly success cannot accompany us into eternity.
Only our relationship with God and the love we have shown to others will
endure. As we journey through this life, may we continually choose what has
eternal value, trusting that every act of faithfulness draws us closer to the
Kingdom that Jesus has prepared for those who love Him.
When our
earthly journey comes to an end and we finally stand before the Lord, will He
find hearts that have been consumed by the pursuit of worldly treasures, or
hearts that have faithfully loved, served, and followed Him?
Today, while
we still have the gift of time, will we choose to prepare not merely for
tomorrow, but for eternity? —Marino J.
Dasmarinas
