Reflection for March 21 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:40-53

Gospel: John 7:40-53

Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet. Others said, “This is the Christ. But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived? So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.  

So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not bring him? The guards answered, “Never before has anyone spoken like this man. So the Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?

But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed. Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them “Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing? They answered and said to him “You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”  

Then each went to his own house.

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Reflection:

Do we find time to read the words of Jesus in the Bible with reverence?

When we approach the words of Jesus with humble and open hearts, we allow the Lord Himself to speak to us. In that sacred moment, His voice gently reaches the depths of our souls, awakening something within us that the world cannot give. We begin to experience a quiet transformation—a renewal that brings new meaning and purpose to our lives.

Even those who were sent to arrest Jesus were not immune to the power of His words. They came with a mission, yet they left changed—touched, moved, and drawn to Him. Such is the mystery and power of His Word: when we truly listen, something within us begins to shift, soften, and come alive.

Let us, then, take time to read His words with reverence and attentiveness. As we do, His Word slowly takes root in our hearts, shaping our thoughts, guiding our choices, and transforming the way we live. His words are not merely to be read—they are meant to be received, pondered, and lived.

But in the midst of our busy lives, filled with worries and responsibilities, do we still make space for Him? Do we intentionally set aside moments to sit quietly in His presence and listen? No matter how full our days may seem, we are called to create time for this sacred encounter. For it is here that we find peace in the midst of uncertainty, clarity in confusion, and strength in our weakness.

Whether we are opening the Bible for the first time or returning after a long absence, let us not be discouraged. The Holy Spirit is always with us—ready to enlighten our minds, warm our hearts, and lead us gently into the truth. And as we persevere, we will begin to notice a transformation—subtle yet powerful—unfolding within us.

A transformation that not only renews our own lives but also becomes a blessing to those around us.

And so, let us ask ourselves: Will we continue to let the noise of the world fill our days, or will we make time to listen to the life-giving words of Jesus—allowing Him to transform us from within? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 21 Sabado sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 7:40-53

Mabuting Balita: Juan 7:40-53

Noong panahong iyon, marami sa mga nakarinig kay Jesus ang nagsabi, "Tunay ngang ito ang Propetang hinihintay natin!" "Ito nga ang Mesias! sabi ng iba. Ngunit sumagot ang iba pa, "Maaari bang magmula sa Galilea ang Mesias? Hindi ba sinabi ng Kasulatan na magmumula ang Mesias sa lipi ni David, at sa Betlehem na bayan ni David ipanganganak?" 

Magkakaiba ang palagay ng mga tao tungkol sa kanya. Ibig ng ilan na dakpin siya, ngunit wala namang nangahas humuli sa kanya. 

Ang mga kawal na bantay sa templo ay nagbalik sa punong saserdote at sa mga Pariseo. "Bakit hindi ninyo sila dinala rito?" tanong nila sa mga bantay. Sumagot sila, "Wala pa pong nagsalita nang gaya niya!" "Kayo man ba'y nalinlang din?" tanong ng mga Pariseo. "Mayroon bang pinuno nang Pariseong naniniwala sa kanya? Wala! Mga tao lamang na walang nalalaman sa Kautusan ang naniniwala sa kanya -- mga sinumpa!" 

Isa sa naroon ay si Nicodemo, na nagsadya kay Jesus noong una. Tinanong niya sila, "Labag sa ating Kautusan na hatulan ang isang tao na di muna nililitis at inaalam kung ano ang kanyang ginawa, hindi ba?" Sumagot sila, "Ikaw ba'y taga-Galilea rin? Magsaliksik ka't makikita mo na walang propetang magmumula sa Galilea."

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Repleksyon:

Naglalaan pa ba tayo ng panahon upang basahin ang mga salita ni Jesus sa Biblia nang may paggalang at pagpipitagan?

Sa tuwing tayo ay lumalapit sa Kanyang mga salita nang may mapagkumbaba at bukas na puso, hinahayaan nating mangusap ang Panginoon sa atin. Sa banal na sandaling iyon, ang Kanyang tinig ay marahang umaabot sa kaibuturan ng ating pagkatao—gumigising sa atin sa isang katotohanang hindi kayang ibigay ng mundo. Unti-unti nating nararanasan ang isang tahimik ngunit makapangyarihang pagbabago—isang panibagong sigla na nagbibigay ng bagong kahulugan at layunin sa ating buhay.

Maging ang mga ipinadala upang hulihin si Jesus ay hindi nakaligtas sa kapangyarihan ng Kanyang mga salita. Sila’y dumating na may misyon, ngunit umalis na may nabagong puso—naantig, napukaw, at nahila palapit sa Kanya. Ganito ang hiwaga ng Kanyang Salita: kapag tayo ay tunay na nakikinig, may unti-unting nagbabago sa ating kalooban—lumalambot, nahuhubog, at muling nabubuhay.

Kaya naman, maglaan tayo ng panahon upang basahin ang Kanyang mga salita nang may paggalang at taimtim na pagninilay. Habang ginagawa natin ito, ang Kanyang Salita ay unti-unting nag-uugat sa ating puso—hinuhubog ang ating pag-iisip, ginagabayan ang ating mga pasya at binabago ang paraan ng ating pamumuhay. Ang Kanyang mga salita ay hindi lamang para basahin, kundi para tanggapin, pagnilayan, at isabuhay.

Ngunit sa gitna ng ating abalang buhay—puno ng mga alalahanin at responsibilidad—naglalaan pa ba tayo ng puwang para sa Kanya? Sinasadya ba nating manahimik at makinig sa Kanyang presensya? Anuman ang ating pinagdaraanan, tinatawagan tayong maglaan ng panahon para sa banal na pakikipagtagpo na ito. Sapagkat dito natin matatagpuan ang kapayapaan sa gitna ng kaguluhan, liwanag sa gitna ng kadiliman at lakas sa gitna ng ating kahinaan.

Maging ito man ang ating unang pagbasa o pagbabalik matapos ang mahabang panahon, huwag tayong panghinaan ng loob. Ang Espiritu Santo ay laging nariyan—handa tayong gabayan, buksan ang ating isipan, at akayin tayo sa mas malalim na pag-unawa. At sa ating pagpapatuloy, mapapansin natin ang isang pagbabagong unti-unting umuusbong sa atin—banayad ngunit makapangyarihan.

Isang pagbabagong hindi lamang sa atin nagaganap, kundi umaabot din at nagbibigay-buhay sa mga taong nasa paligid natin.

Hahayaan nalang ba natin na mapuno ang ating oras ng ingay ng mundo, o maglalaan tayo ng sandali upang magbasa sa Kanyang mga salitang nagbibigay-buhay—at pahintulutan Siyang baguhin tayo mula sa kaloob-looban ng ating pagkatao? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 20 Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Jesus moved about within Galilee; he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near. But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.  

Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”   

So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me. So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.

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Reflection:

Does Jesus fear death?

Yes, He feared death. Yet in the face of that fear, He did not allow Himself to be paralyzed. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father and remained faithful to His salvific mission. With unwavering love and obedience, He continued forward, even becoming more resolute, until He reached His appointed time of arrest, suffering, and death on the Cross. 

We see this in today’s Gospel. Jesus initially avoided going to Judea because there were those who sought to kill Him. And yet, when the time came for the Feast of Tabernacles—a sacred moment of worship and encounter—He chose to go. Quietly at first, but when the moment was right, He stood and spoke with courage, truth, and authority. He did not allow fear to silence His mission. 

In our own lives, we too experience fears—fears of rejection, failure, suffering, or even the unknown. These fears can quietly creep into our hearts and tempt us to withdraw, to delay, or to turn away from what God is calling us to do. But Jesus shows us another way. He teaches us that fear, when surrendered to God, does not have the final word. 

Let us remember: when we face our fears with faith, we open ourselves to God’s grace. When we move forward despite our uncertainties, we allow His power to work within us. Fear may try to hold us back, but God’s love calls us forward—into trust, into courage, into mission. 

Today, let us bring our fears before the Lord. Let us place them at His feet and ask for the strength to move forward, even if our steps are small and trembling. For He walks with us, strengthens us, and leads us toward the fulfillment of His purpose in our lives. 

What fear is quietly holding us back today—and are we willing to trust Jesus enough to take one step forward in faith despite it? —Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 20 Biyernes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Noong panahong iyon, nilibot ni Jesus ang Galilea; iniwasan niya ang Judea, sapagkat ibig siyang patayin ng mga Judio roon. Nalalapit na ang Pista ng mga Tolda, isang pista ng mga Judio. Pagkaalis ng kanyang mga kapatid, si Jesus ma'y pumunta rin sa pista, ngunit hindi hayagan. 

Sinabi ng ilang taga-Jerusalem, "Hindi ba ito ang taong gusto nilang patayin? Hayan! Lantaran siyang nagsasalita, ngunit wala silang sinasabi laban sa kanya! Baka naman nakilala ng mga pinuno na siya nga ang Mesias! Walang makaaalam kung saan magmumula ang Mesias pagparito niya, ngunit alam naman natin kung saan nagmula ang taong ito!" 

Kaya't nang nasa templo si Jesus at nagtuturo, malakas niyang sinabi, "Ako ba'y nakikilala ninyo? Alam ba ninyo kung saan ako nagmula? Hindi ako naparito sa ganang akin lamang. Ang Totoo ang siyang nagsugo sa akin, ngunit hindi ninyo sila nakikilala. Nakikilala ko siya, sapagkat ako'y mula sa kanya, at siya ang nagsugo sa akin." Tinangka nilang dakpin siya; ngunit walang nangahas, sapagkat hindi pa niya oras.

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Repleksyon:

Natatakot ba si Hesus sa kamatayan? Oo, nakaramdam din Siya ng takot. Ngunit sa harap ng takot na iyon, hindi Niya hinayaang Siya’y maparalisa. Sa halip, buong pagtitiwala Niyang ipinagkatiwala ang Kanyang sarili sa Ama at nanatiling tapat sa Kanyang misyong pagliligtas. Sa kabila ng pangamba, nagpatuloy Siya nang may matatag na loob at pag-ibig hanggang sa dumating ang takdang oras ng Kanyang pagdakip, pagdurusa, at kamatayan sa Krus.

Makikita natin ito sa Ebanghelyo ngayon. Noong una, iniwasan ni Hesus ang pagpunta sa Judea sapagkat may mga nagbabalak na pumatay sa Kanya. Ngunit nang dumating ang Kapistahan ng mga Tolda—isang banal na pagdiriwang—pinili pa rin Niyang pumunta. Tahimik sa simula, ngunit nang dumating ang tamang panahon, Siya’y tumindig at nangaral nang may tapang, katotohanan, at kapangyarihan. Hindi Niya hinayaang patahimikin ng takot ang Kanyang misyon.

Sa ating buhay, tayo rin ay may mga kinatatakutan—takot sa pagtanggi, kabiguan, paghihirap, o maging sa hindi tiyak na hinaharap. Ang mga takot na ito ay maaaring dahan-dahang pumasok sa ating puso at magtulak sa atin na umatras, mag-atubili, o umiwas sa mga bagay na tinatawag tayo ng Diyos na gawin. Ngunit ipinapakita sa atin ni Hesus ang ibang landas. Itinuturo Niya na kapag ang ating takot ay isinuko natin sa Diyos, hindi ito ang magkakaroon ng huling salita.

Alalahanin natin: kapag hinaharap natin ang ating mga takot nang may pananampalataya, binubuksan natin ang ating sarili sa biyaya ng Diyos. Kapag patuloy tayong sumusulong sa kabila ng ating pangamba, hinahayaan nating kumilos ang Kanyang kapangyarihan sa atin. Maaaring hadlangan tayo ng takot, ngunit ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ang patuloy na tumatawag sa atin upang magtiwala, magpakatatag, at tuparin ang ating misyon.

Ngayon, dalhin natin ang ating mga takot sa Panginoon. Ilapag natin ang mga ito sa Kanyang paanan at hingin ang lakas ng loob na magpatuloy, kahit ang ating mga hakbang ay maliit at may pangamba. Sapagkat Siya ay kasama natin—umaakay, nagpapalakas, at gumagabay tungo sa katuparan ng Kanyang layunin sa ating buhay.

Ano ang takot na tahimik na pumipigil sa atin ngayon—at handa ba tayong magtiwala kay Hesus at gumawa ng kahit isang hakbang pasulong sa kabila nito?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Thursday March 19 Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

Do we agree that Joseph is a man who truly listens to the voice of God?

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph—the humble, righteous, and godly husband of Mary. In a moment of confusion and quiet pain, when Joseph discovered that Mary was with child before they lived together, he resolved to quietly let her go. His heart was just, yet human—perhaps filled with questions, uncertainty, and sorrow.

But God, in His mercy, did not leave Joseph in the dark. In a dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. And in that sacred moment, Joseph listened—not with fear, but with faith; not with pride, but with trust. He opened his heart to God’s voice, and because of his obedience, what could have led to separation became a story of salvation. Mary was spared, and God’s plan unfolded through a willing and listening heart.

In our modern and fast-paced world, we, too, face moments of misunderstanding, hurt, and doubt—especially in our relationships. Oftentimes, we are quick to judge. We allow our pride, anger, and wounded emotions to take control. Because of this, we become less willing to forgive, less patient to understand, and less open to listen—not only to one another, but to God.

Yet, God continues to speak to us—in the silence of our hearts, in moments of prayer, and even in the midst of our struggles. His voice gently invites us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to show compassion instead of judgment, and to trust even when we do not fully understand.

Like Joseph, we are called to quiet our restless hearts, to surrender our fears and pride, and to listen deeply to the voice of God. For it is in listening that we begin to see clearly, love more fully, and act more faithfully.

When God speaks to us—in silence, in struggle, or in unexpected ways—will we, like Joseph, choose to listen, trust, and obey, even when it asks us to let go of our pride and follow a path we did not plan? —Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Huwebes Marso 19 Dakilang Kapistahan ni San Jose, Kabiyak ng Puso ng Mahal na Birheng Maria: Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Si Jacob, ang ama ni Jose na asawa ni Maria. Si Maria naman ang ina ni Jesus na tinatawag na Cristo.

Ganito ang pagkapanganak kay Jesu-Cristo. Si Maria na kanyang ina at si Jose ay nakatakda nang pakasal. Ngunit bago sila nakasal, si Maria'y natagpuang nagdadalang-tao. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Isang taong matuwid itong si Jose na kanyang magiging asawa, ngunit ayaw niyang mapahiya si Maria, kaya ipinasiya niyang hiwalayan ito nang lihim. 

Samantalang iniisip ni Jose ito, napakita sa kanya sa panaginip ang isang anghel ng Panginoon. Sabi nito sa kanya, "Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tuluyang pakasalan si Maria, sapagkat siya'y naglihi sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. 

Manganganak siya ng isang lalaki at ito’y pangangalanan mong Hesus, sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang bayan sa kanilang mga kasalanan.” Nang magising si Jose, sinunod niya ang utos ng anghel ng Panginoon.

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Repleksyon:

Sumasang-ayon ba tayo na si Jose ay isang taong tunay na nakikinig sa tinig ng Diyos?

Ngayon ay ipinagdiriwang natin ang Kapistahan ni San Jose—ang mapagkumbaba, matuwid, at maka-Diyos na asawa ni Maria. Sa sandali ng pagkalito at tahimik na paghihirap, nang matuklasan ni Jose na si Maria ay nagdadalang-tao bago pa sila magsama, nagpasya siyang palihim na hiwalayan siya. Ang kanyang puso ay matuwid, ngunit siya rin ay tao—marahil ay puno ng mga tanong, pangamba, at lungkot.

Ngunit hindi pinabayaan ng Diyos si Jose sa dilim. Sa isang panaginip, nagpakita sa kanya ang anghel ng Panginoon. At sa banal na sandaling iyon, nakinig si Jose—hindi sa takot, kundi sa pananampalataya; hindi sa pagmamataas, kundi sa pagtitiwala.

Binuksan niya ang kanyang puso sa tinig ng Diyos, at dahil sa kanyang pagsunod, ang maaaring humantong sa paghihiwalay ay naging bahagi ng dakilang plano ng kaligtasan. Nailigtas si Maria sa kapahamakan, at naisakatuparan ang plano ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng isang pusong handang makinig.

Sa ating makabago at mabilis na takbo ng mundo, tayo rin ay nakararanas ng mga sandali ng hindi pagkakaunawaan, sugat, at pagdududa—lalo na sa ating mga ugnayan. Madalas, tayo ay madaling humusga. Hinahayaan nating manaig ang ating pagmamataas, galit, at sugatang damdamin. Dahil dito, nagiging kulang tayo sa pagpapatawad, sa pag-unawa, at sa pakikinig—hindi lamang sa isa’t isa, kundi lalo na sa Diyos.

Subalit patuloy pa ring nagsasalita ang Diyos sa atin—sa katahimikan ng ating puso, sa ating panalangin, at maging sa gitna ng ating mga pagsubok. Marahan Niya tayong inaanyayahan na magpatawad tulad ng pagpapatawad Niya sa atin, magmahal sa halip na humusga, at magtiwala kahit hindi natin lubos na nauunawaan ang lahat.

Tulad ni Jose, tinatawag tayong patahimikin ang ating puso, isuko ang ating pagmamataas at mga takot, at makinig nang malalim sa tinig ng Diyos. Sapagkat sa pakikinig, mas natututo tayong umunawa, magmahal, at sumunod nang may katapatan.

Kapag nagsalita ang Diyos sa atin—sa katahimikan, sa gitna ng pagsubok, o sa mga paraang hindi natin inaasahan—handa ba tayong makinig, magtiwala, at sumunod tulad ni San Jose, kahit kailangan nating isantabi ang ating pagmamataas at yakapin ang landas na hindi natin pinili?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 18 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:17-30

Gospel: John 5:17-30

Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. 

Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for what he does, the Son will do also. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed. 

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes. Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 

Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life. Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 

For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself. And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.

“I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.”

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Reflection:

Do we believe in the oneness of God the Father and God the Son?

We can best summarize the first half of Jesus’ pronouncements in the Gospel as, “Like Father, like Son.” We believe this because Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity. He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), the visible image of the invisible God, who came to reveal the Father to us in love, mercy, and truth.

Since we look up to Jesus as the founder and leader of our faith, there is no doubt that we are His followers. Yet, as we walk this journey of faith together, we are gently invited to examine our hearts: Are we truly worthy followers of Jesus? We profess our belief in His oneness with the Father—but do we allow this belief to take root in our lives and bear fruit in our actions?

When we encounter those in need, do we become instruments of God’s compassion? When truth calls for courage, do we speak it with love and humility? In our daily lives, do we reflect the meekness and humility of Christ, or do we allow pride and self-interest to take hold of us? Do we truly live out what we hear, read, and receive from the Gospel?

To believe in Jesus is not only to accept His words but to embody His life. It is to let His love transform the way we see others, the way we forgive, and the way we choose what is right.

When someone who has hurt us comes seeking forgiveness and longs for reconciliation, how do we respond? Do we open our hearts as Christ opens His to us again and again? Or do we close the door, holding tightly to pain, resentment, and unforgiveness?

As we continue to reflect on the oneness of the Father and the Son, may we remember that we are also called to be one with them—not only in belief, but in the way we live, love, and forgive.

 Today, let us ask ourselves with sincerity and courage: If we truly believe that Jesus is one with the Father, can others see that same oneness reflected in the way we live our lives? Or is our faith still waiting to be fully lived out in love?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 18 Miyerkules sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:17-30

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:17-30

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa mga Judio: “Ang aking Ama’y patuloy sa paggawa, at gayun din ako.” Lalong pinagsikapan ng mga Judio na patayin siya, sapagkat nilabag na niya ang batas tungkol sa Araw ng Pamamahinga ay sinasabi pa niyang ang Diyos ang kanyang Ama, at sa gayo’y ipinapantay ang sarili sa Diyos. 

Kaya’t sinabi sa kanila ni Hesus, “Dapat ninyong malaman na walang ginagawa ang Anak sa kanyang sarili lamang; ang ginagawa lamang niya’y ang nakikita niyang ginagawa ng Ama. Ang ginagawa ng Ama ay siya ring ginagawa ng Anak. Sapagkat minamahal ng Ama ang Anak, at ipinakikita sa Anak ang lahat ng ginagawa niya. 

At higit pa sa mga ito ang mga gawang ipakikita sa kanya ng Ama at manggigilalas kayo. Kung paanong binubuhay ng Ama ang mga patay, gayun din naman, bubuhayin ng Anak ang sinumang nais niyang buhayin. Hindi humahatol kaninuman ang Ama. Ibinigay niya sa Anak ang buong kapangyarihang humatol upang parangalan ng lahat ang Anak, tulad ng kanilang pagpaparangal sa Ama. Ang hindi nagpaparangal sa Anak ay hindi nagpaparangal sa Amang nagsugo sa Anak.  

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Repleksyon:

Naniniwala ba tayo sa pagiging isa ng Diyos Ama at ng Diyos Anak?

Maaaring ibuod ang unang bahagi ng mga pahayag ni Jesus sa Ebanghelyo sa ganitong diwa: “Kung ano ang Ama, gayon din ang Anak.” Pinaniniwalaan natin ito sapagkat si Jesus ang ikalawang Persona ng Santisima Trinidad. Siya ang Salitang nagkatawang-tao (Juan 1:14), ang nakikitang larawan ng di-nakikitang Diyos, na dumating upang ihayag sa atin ang Ama sa pag-ibig, awa at katotohanan.

Tinitingala natin si Jesus bilang pinagmulan at pinuno ng ating pananampalataya, kaya’t walang duda na tayo ay Kanyang mga tagasunod. Ngunit sa ating paglalakbay bilang isang pamayanan ng pananampalataya, inaanyayahan tayong suriin ang ating mga puso: Tayo ba ay tunay na karapat-dapat na mga tagasunod ni Kristo? Ipinapahayag natin na naniniwala tayo sa Kanyang kaisahan sa Ama—ngunit naipapakita ba natin ang paniniwalang ito sa ating mga gawa?

Kapag may nangangailangan, nagiging daluyan ba tayo ng habag ng Diyos? Kapag hinihingi ng pagkakataon ang katotohanan, nasasabi ba natin ito nang may pag-ibig at kababaang-loob? Sa ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, naipapakita ba natin ang kababaang-loob at kaamuan ni Kristo, o hinahayaan nating manaig ang ating pagmamataas at sariling kapakanan? Isinasabuhay ba natin ang ating naririnig at nababasa sa Ebanghelyo?

Ang maniwala kay Jesus ay hindi lamang pagtanggap sa Kanyang mga salita, kundi pagsasabuhay ng Kanyang buhay. Ito ay ang pagpapahintulot na baguhin Niya ang paraan ng ating pagtingin sa iba, ang paraan ng ating pagpapatawad, at ang paraan ng ating pagpili ng tama.

Kapag ang isang taong nakasakit sa atin ay lumapit, humihingi ng tawad at nagnanais makipagkasundo, paano tayo tumutugon? Binubuksan ba natin ang ating puso, tulad ng walang sawang pagbubukas ni Kristo ng Kanyang puso para sa atin? O isinasara natin ang pintuan at pinipiling manatili sa galit, sakit, at hindi pagpapatawad?

Sa ating pagninilay tungkol sa kaisahan ng Ama at ng Anak, nawa’y maalala natin na tinatawag din tayong makiisa sa kanila—hindi lamang sa paniniwala, kundi sa paraan ng ating pamumuhay, pagmamahal, at pagpapatawad.

Kung tunay tayong naniniwala na si Jesus ay kaisa ng Ama, nakikita ba ng iba ang kaisahang ito sa ating pamumuhay?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 17 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 5:1-16

Gospel: John 5:1-16

There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes. In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” 

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked. 

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’“ They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” 

The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there. After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.

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Reflection:

Imagine that Jesus is standing right in front of us and gently asking this question: “Do you want to be well?” How would we respond? Surely, from the depths of our hearts we would say, “Yes, Lord, we want to be well!”

But suppose Jesus then tells us, “Go and humble yourselves before me in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” What if we reply, “Some other time, Lord. We are busy right now.” Then the days pass, our schedules fill up, and before we know it, we have forgotten His loving invitation to come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Many of us truly desire to grow closer to Jesus. We long to be healed by Him and to experience His peace in our hearts. Yet, oftentimes, we hesitate to take the humble step of approaching the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacred encounter, Jesus heals us from the spiritual sickness caused by our sins. And sometimes, without us even realizing it, through the Lord’s infinite power we may also receive healing from many of our physical ailments.

When we humble ourselves through this sacrament, we allow Jesus to wash away our sins—no matter how serious they may be. We place our trust in His boundless mercy and love. As Pope Saint John Paul II once said:

 “Confession is an act of honesty and courage—an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.” 

In today’s Gospel, the man who had been sick for thirty-eight years experienced an instant healing when Jesus commanded him to rise. Despite it being the Sabbath—a day of rest for them—he obeyed the Lord without hesitation. What mattered most to him was responding in faith to the command of Jesus.

In our own lives, Jesus continues to ask us the same question: “Do you want to be well?” His invitation to healing is still open to us, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The question for us now is this: If we truly desire to be healed and restored by Jesus, are we willing to humble ourselves and come to Him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation—or will we continue to postpone His loving call?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 17 Martes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 5:1-16

Mabuting Balita: Juan 5:1-16

Nang dumating ang pagdiriwang ng pista ng mga Judio, pumunta si Hesus sa Jerusalem. Sa lungsod na ito, malapit sa Pintuan ng mga Tupa, ay may malaking deposito ng tubig na may limang portiko. Kung tawagin ito sa wikang Hebreo ay Betesda. Natitipon dito ang maraming maysakit -- mga bulag, mga pilay, at mga paralitiko. Hinihintay nilang gumalaw ang tubig, sapagkat may panahong bumababa ang isang anghel ng Panginoon at kinakalawkaw ang tubig. 

Ang maunang lumusong pagkatapos makalawkaw ang tubig ay gumagaling, anuman ang kanyang karamdaman. Doon ay may isang lalaking tatlumpu't walong taon nang may sakit, at siya'y nakita ni Hesus. Alam nitong matagal nang may sakit ang lalaki. Tinanong siya ni Hesus, "Ibig mo bang gumaling?" Sumagot ang maysakit, "Ginoo, wala pong maglusong sa akin kapag nakalawkaw na ang tubig; patungo pa lamang ako roon ay may nauuna na sa akin." 

Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Tumindig ka, dalhin mo ang iyong higaan, at lumakad ka." At pagdaka'y gumaling ang lalaki, dinala ang kanyang higaan, at lumakad. Noo'y Araw ng Pamamahinga. Kaya't sinabi ng mga Judio sa lalaking pinagaling, "Araw ng Pamamahinga ngayon! Labag sa Kautusan na dalhin mo ang iyong higaan." Ngunit sumagot siya, "Ang nagpagaling sa akin ang nagsabing dalhin ko ang aking higaan at lumakad ako." 

At siya'y tinanong nila, "Sino ang nagsabi sa iyong dalhin mo ang iyong higaan at lumakad ka?" Ngunit hindi nakilala ng lalaki kung sino ang nagpagaling sa kanya, sapagkat nawala na si Hesus sa karamihan ng tao.

Pagkatapos, nakita ni Hesus sa loob ng templo ang lalaki at sinabihan, "Magaling ka na ngayon! Huwag ka nang magkakasala at baka may mangyari sa iyo na lalo pang masama." Umalis ang lalaki at sinabi sa mga Judio na si Hesus ang nagpagaling sa kanya. Dahil dito, si Jesus ay sinimulang usigin ng mga Judio, sapagkat nagpagaling siya sa Araw ng Pamamahinga.

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Repleksyon:

Isipin natin na si Jesus ay nakatayo sa ating harapan at mahinahong nagtatanong sa atin: “Gusto mo bang gumaling?” Paano tayo sasagot? Marahil mula sa kaibuturan ng ating puso ay sasabihin natin, “Oo, Panginoon, nais naming gumaling!” 

Ngunit paano kung sabihin ni Jesus sa atin: “Lumapit kayo sa akin at magpakumbaba sa Sakramento ng Kumpisal.” At tayo naman ay sasagot, “Sa ibang pagkakataon na lamang, Panginoon. Abala pa kami ngayon.” Pagkatapos ay lilipas ang mga araw, magiging abala tayo sa maraming gawain, at hindi natin namamalayan na nakalimutan na pala natin ang Kanyang paanyaya na lumapit sa Sakramento ng Kumpisal.

Marami sa atin ang nagnanais na mapalapit kay Jesus. Hangad nating maranasan ang Kanyang pagpapagaling at kapayapaan sa ating mga puso. Subalit kadalasan, nag-aatubili tayong gawin ang mapagpakumbabang hakbang na lumapit sa mapagpagaling na Sakramento ng Kumpisal.

Sa banal na sakramentong ito, tayo ay pinagagaling ni Jesus mula sa karamdaman ng ating kaluluwa na dulot ng ating mga kasalanan. At kung minsan, hindi man natin ito napapansin, sa pamamagitan ng walang hanggang kapangyarihan ng Panginoon ay maaari rin tayong tumanggap ng kagalingan mula sa ilan sa ating mga karamdaman sa katawan.

Kapag tayo ay nagpapakumbaba at lumalapit sa sakramentong ito, hinahayaan nating hugasan ni Jesus ang lahat ng ating mga kasalanan—gaano man ito kabigat. Ipinagkakatiwala natin ang ating sarili sa Kanyang walang hanggang awa at pag-ibig. Tulad ng sinabi ni Pope Saint John Paul II:

"Ang pagkukumpisal ay isang gawa ng katapatan at katapangan—isang paglalagak ng ating sarili, higit pa sa ating kasalanan, sa awa ng isang Diyos na mapagmahal at mapagpatawad.”

Sa ating Ebanghelyo ngayon, ang lalaking may sakit sa loob ng tatlumpu’t walong taon ay agad na gumaling nang sundin niya ang utos ni Jesus. Kahit araw iyon ng Sabbath—ang araw ng kanilang pahinga—hindi siya nag-atubiling sumunod. Ang pinakamahalaga para sa kanya ay ang sundin ang utos ng Panginoon.

Hanggang ngayon ay patuloy pa ring tinatanong ni Jesus ang bawat isa sa atin: “Gusto mo bang gumaling?” Ang Kanyang paanyaya ng pagpapagaling ay bukas pa rin para sa atin, lalo na sa pamamagitan ng Sakramento ng Kumpisal.

Ngayon, ang tanong para sa ating lahat ay ito: Kung tunay nating nais na gumaling at mapanumbalik ng Panginoon ang ating buhay, handa ba tayong magpakumbaba at lumapit sa Kanya sa Sakramento ng Kumpisal—o patuloy ba nating ipagpapaliban ang Kanyang mapagmahal na paanyaya?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 16 Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent: John 4:43-54

Gospel: John 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.  

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death.

Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”  

The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea. 

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Reflection:

How deep is our faith in Jesus?

Is our faith limited to what we can perceive and see? Or is our faith not bounded by what we can perceive and see?

Sometimes it is hard for us to have faith when we do not see something concrete that could strengthen or reinforce it. We often look for visible signs before we fully trust. Yet faith that depends only on what we can see can easily become shallow. True and deep faith is something we quietly carry in our hearts—even when there is no visible proof, no immediate answer, and no clear sign before our eyes.

The royal official in our Gospel shows us this kind of deep faith. He believed what Jesus told him even without any visible sign. He simply trusted in the words of Jesus. When Jesus told him to go back home because his sick son would live, he left without hesitation and without asking for proof.

He held closely in his heart the very words that Jesus had spoken to him. And when he arrived home, he discovered that his son had indeed been healed at the very moment Jesus spoke those life-giving words.

This Gospel invites us to look deeply into our own hearts. There may come a time when our faith in Jesus will be tested—perhaps through suffering, uncertainty, or a serious illness. There may come moments when everything around us seems to fall apart, when answers do not come quickly, and when hope appears faint.

What will we do when we reach what seems to be a point of no return? What will we do if, for instance, a doctor tells us that we have only a few months to live? Will our faith weaken because we cannot see a miracle right away? Or will we continue to trust in the loving and powerful words of Jesus?

In moments like these, we are invited to hold tightly to our faith in the Lord and never give up, no matter what our present circumstances may be. Our faith in Jesus is far greater than any trial or problem that we may face. Our faith in Him is stronger than any sickness that could destroy our bodies but can never diminish the hope, strength, and life that He plants within our hearts.

The Lord continues to speak words of life to us today, just as He did to the royal official. Even when we cannot yet see the outcome, His words remain true, faithful, and powerful.

So today, let us pause and reflect in the quiet of our hearts.

Do we truly trust the words of Jesus even when we cannot see the results yet? And when our faith is tested, will we still choose to walk forward, holding firmly to His promises and believing that He is already at work in our lives?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 16 Lunes sa Ikaapat na Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 4:43-54

Mabuting Balita: Juan 4:43-54

Noong panahong iyon, umalis si Hesus sa Samaria at nagtungo sa Galilea. Sapagkat si Hesus na rin ang nagsabing ang isang propeta'y hindi iginagalang sa kanyang bayan. Pagdating niya sa Galilea ay mabuti ang pagtanggap sa kanya ng mga tagaroon, sapagkat nasa Jerusalem din sila noong Pista ng Paskua at nakita niya ang lahat ng kanyang ginawa roon.

Nagpunta uli si Hesus sa Cana, Galilea. Doon niya ginawang alak ang tubig. Doon naman sa Capernaum ay may isang mataas na pinuno ng Pamahalaan; at may sakit ang kanyang anak na lalaki. Nang mabalitaan niyang bumalik si Jesus sa Galilea mula sa Judea, pinuntahan niya ito.

Pinakiusapan niya itong pumunta sa Capernaum at pagalingin ang kanyang anak na naghihingalo. Sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, "Hangga't hindi kayo nakakikita ng mga palatandaan at mga kababalaghan, hindi kayo mananampalataya." Ngunit sinabi ng pinuno, "Tayo na po, Ginoo, bago mamatay ang aking anak." Sumagot si Jesus, "Umuwi na kayo; magaling na ang inyong anak."

Naniwala ang lalaki sa salita ni Hesus, at umuwi nga siya. Sa daan pa'y sinalubong na siya ng kanyang mga alipin at sinabing magaling na ang kanyang anak. Tinanong niya sila, "Anong oras siya gumaling?" Siya po'y inibsan ng lagnat kahapong mag-aala-una ng hapon," tugon nila. Naalaala ng ama na noong oras na iyon sinabi sa kanya ni Hesus, "Magaling na ang iyong anak." Kaya't siya at ang kanyang buong sambahayan ay sumampalataya kay Hesus.

Ito ang pangalawang kababalaghang ginawa ni Hesus sa Galilea pagpunta niya roon buhat sa Judea.   

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Repleksyon:

Gaano kalalim ang ating pananampalataya kay Jesus?

Ang ating pananampalataya ba ay nakabatay lamang sa kung ano ang ating nakikita at nararanasan? O ang ating pananampalataya ba ay hindi nalilimitahan ng kung ano lamang ang ating nakikita?

Minsan ay mahirap para sa atin ang manampalataya kapag wala tayong nakikitang konkretong bagay na magpapatibay nito. Madalas ay naghahanap tayo ng malinaw na palatandaan bago tayo lubos na magtiwala.

Ngunit ang pananampalatayang nakasalalay lamang sa nakikita ay maaaring maging mababaw. Ang tunay at malalim na pananampalataya ay yaong pinanghahawakan natin sa ating puso kahit wala pa tayong nakikitang malinaw na tanda o katuparan.

Ipinakita sa atin ng opisyal ng hari sa ating Ebanghelyo ang ganitong uri ng malalim na pananampalataya. Pinaniwalaan niya ang sinabi ni Jesus kahit wala pa siyang nakikitang anumang palatandaan. Nagtiwala lamang siya sa mga salita ni Jesus.

Nang sabihin ni Jesus sa kanya na umuwi na siya sapagkat mabubuhay ang kanyang anak na may sakit, siya ay umalis agad nang walang pag-aalinlangan at walang hinihinging patunay. Mahigpit niyang pinanghawakan sa kanyang puso ang mga salitang binitiwan ni Jesus. At nang siya’y makarating sa kanilang bahay, nalaman niyang gumaling nga ang kanyang anak sa mismong oras na sinabi ni Jesus ang mga salitang iyon na nagbigay-buhay.

Inaanyayahan tayo ng Ebanghelyong ito na silipin ang lalim ng ating sariling pananampalataya. Darating at darating ang mga sandali na masusubok ang ating pananampalataya kay Jesus—marahil sa pamamagitan ng paghihirap, matinding suliranin, o malubhang karamdaman. May mga pagkakataon na tila guguho ang ating pag-asa at parang walang malinaw na sagot sa ating mga panalangin.

Ano ang gagawin natin kapag dumating tayo sa puntong tila wala nang pag-asa? Ano ang gagawin natin kung, halimbawa, sabihin ng doktor na ilang buwan na lamang ang ating itatagal sa mundong ito? Hihina ba ang ating pananampalataya dahil wala tayong nakikitang agarang himala? O patuloy ba tayong magtitiwala sa mga salita ng Panginoon kahit hindi pa natin nakikita ang katuparan nito?

Sa mga sandaling tulad nito, inaanyayahan tayong kumapit nang mahigpit sa ating pananampalataya sa Panginoon at huwag kailanman sumuko, anuman ang ating pinagdaraanan ngayon. Ang ating pananampalataya kay Jesus ay higit na dakila kaysa sa anumang pagsubok o suliranin na ating haharapin. Ang ating pananampalataya sa Kanya ay mas malakas kaysa sa anumang karamdaman na maaaring sumira sa ating katawan ngunit hindi kailanman makapagpapahina sa matibay nating pagtitiwala sa Kanya.

Patuloy na nagsasalita ang Panginoon ng mga salita ng buhay sa atin hanggang ngayon, tulad ng ginawa Niya sa opisyal ng hari. Kahit hindi pa natin nakikita ang bunga, ang Kanyang mga salita ay nananatiling totoo, tapat, at makapangyarihan.

Ngayon ay sandali tayong tumigil at pagnilayan ito sa katahimikan ng ating puso.

Kapag dumating ang sandaling masubok ang ating pananampalataya, mananatili ba tayong nagtitiwala sa mga salita ni Jesus kahit hindi pa natin nakikita ang katuparan? At handa ba tayong patuloy na kumapit sa Kanya, naniniwalang Siya ay kumikilos na sa ating buhay kahit hindi pa natin ito lubos na nauunawaan?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 15 Fourth Sunday of Lent: John 9:1-41

Gospel: John 9:1-41

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, "Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" —which means Sent—.So he went and washed, and came back able to see. 

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, "Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?" Some said, "It is, " but others said, "No, he just looks like him." He said, "I am." So they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?" He replied, "The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went there and washed and was able to see." And they said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know." 

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, "He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see." So some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinful man do such signs?" And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, "What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 

Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?" His parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said,"He is of age; question him." 

So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner." He replied, "If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see." So they said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen.  

Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" They ridiculed him and said, "You are that man's disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from." The man answered and said to them, "This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.  

We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything." They answered and said to him, "You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?" Then they threw him out. 

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered and said, "Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, the one speaking with you is he." He said, "I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind." 

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.

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Reflection:

In a faraway place lived an arrogant king. His people warned him to prepare for a dreaded disease that was about to arrive. But the king arrogantly told them not to worry, saying that the moment the disease entered his kingdom he would immediately destroy it.

Soon after, the dreaded disease came. Because of the king’s arrogance and lack of preparation, the disease spread throughout the kingdom and ravaged it.

Arrogance is a spiritual sickness that can also affect us. It slowly blinds us to the power of God. When arrogance takes root in our hearts, we begin to think that we are greater than we really are, and we begin to belittle the power of God. Yet we know that when we ignore or belittle God’s power, sooner or later life will humble us and bring us to our knees before Him.

In the Gospel, we read about a man who had been blind but was healed by Jesus. The miracle was undeniable because the man himself testified to what Jesus had done for him. Yet some of the Pharisees refused to believe.

Why did some of them refuse to believe the personal witness of the man who had been healed? It was because of arrogance. The Pharisees were influential religious leaders among the Jews and were known as strict observers of their laws and traditions. Since the man had been healed on the Sabbath—a day of rest for the Jews—they insisted that such a healing should not have taken place on that day.

Because of this, they closed their hearts to Jesus. Instead of rejoicing over the miracle, they doubted it. Instead of recognizing God’s power at work, they questioned it. And instead of listening to the testimony of the man who had been healed, they belittled him.

But what if they had humbled themselves and believed? They, too, could have experienced the power of Jesus. They could have learned precious lessons from the man who once lived in darkness but now lived in the light—lessons about humility, obedience to the Lord, and unwavering faith.

The Gospel quietly invites us to reflect on our own hearts. Sometimes, like the Pharisees, we can become so confident in our own understanding, traditions, or opinions that we fail to recognize the work of God right before our eyes. Arrogance can prevent us from seeing God’s grace moving in our lives and in the lives of others.

Today, the Lord gently reminds us that a humble heart sees what pride cannot see. A humble heart recognizes God’s power, listens to the testimonies of others, and remains open to the surprising ways God works among us.

As we reflect on this Gospel, let us ask ourselves: Are we humble enough to recognize the work of God in our lives, or does pride sometimes prevent us from seeing the miracles that God is already doing among us?— Marino J. Dasmarinas