Reflection for March 4, Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.  At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

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Reflection:

A sinful man had a conversion, when he was asked what moved him to be good and Godly. He replied this, “I have a terminal sickness so I don’t want to be in hell when I depart this world. Hell is real as well as heaven and those who continue to sin and will continue to ignore God’s call to conversion will certainly end up in hell someday.

Some of us may ask, is heaven and hell for real? Yes, it’s both real and it’s already here in our midst.  If we always do good our life would be like heaven on earth, yes there would be problems from time to time. But we will always overcome these problems because Jesus is always at our side to help. On the other hand, if we continue to do bad we can expect our lives to be in a hellish situation today. This is the practical reality of heaven and hell.

However, God loves us so much that He also wants us to repent and permanently walk away from our sinfulness. This is for the reason that the good Lord wants us to experience heaven while we are still here in this world. And He also wants us to be in heaven after our passing in this world.  This is the great love of God for us, He always calls us to repentance in everyday of our lives.

Someday when we die some of us will say, if only I listened to Jesus’ call of repentance. I would not be in this hellish environment right now but I did not. I instead continued to enjoy the many pleasures that were brought to me by the devil.

Nonetheless all is not lost yet, because there is still ample time for us to repent and walk away from anything that make us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 3, Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.   

“This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the secret toward closeness with God? Its prayers that come from the depths of our beings. This is the foundation of our closeness with God. From the fountain of our prayerful life will emanate the God given desire to know more about God. Do we always pray with our hearts and minds on it? Or we only pray when we feel that we need to pray or when we have the time to pray?

The most effective method of prayer is to pray without any excess baggage in our hearts. What does this mean? We pray without carrying any hatred in our hearts. For example if someone has done us wrong and this person is asking for our forgiveness. What would we do? Would we forgive or not forgive? Of course we have to forgive. For how can God forgive us when we ourselves are not willing to forgive? We have to live forgiveness if we want God to hear and forgive us.

We are mere passersby in this world, sooner or later the curtains of our life in this world will come to a close. How can we go to heaven if we carry the weight of unforgiveness in our hearts? And how can we go to heaven if we carry the weight of hatred in our hearts?

When Jesus was dying on the cross He said a short yet very meaningful prayer to God. While gasping for breath Jesus prayed this: Father forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). If Jesus can forgive why can’t we forgive?       

Do you have hatred or any form of unforgiveness in your heart right now? Let go of it and if you still cannot let go humbly pray to Jesus and ask Him to heal you.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Marso 3, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 6:7-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:7-15

7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad pag mananalangin kayo, huwag ka­yong magsalita nang magsalita gaya ng ginagawa ng mga pagano; nani­niwala nga sila na mas paki­kinggan sila kung marami silang sina­sabi. 8 Huwag kayong tumulad sa kanila. Alam ng inyong Ama ang mga panganga­ila­ngan ninyo bago pa man kayo humingi.

9 Kaya, ganito kayo manalangin: Ama naming nasa Langit, sambahin ang Ngalan mo, 10 dumating ang Kaharian mo, sundin ang loob mo         dito sa lupa para nang sa Langit. 11 Bigyan mo kami ngayon ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw, 12 patawarin mo ang aming mga pagkakautang          gaya ng pagpapatawad namin sa mga nagkakautang sa amin.

13 Huwag mo kaming dalhin sa tukso, at iligtas mo kami sa Masama. 14 Kung patatawarin ninyo ang mga nag­kasala sa inyo, patatawarin din kayo ng inyong Amang nasa Langit. 15 At kung hindi ninyo patatawarin ang mga nag­ka­sala sa inyo, hindi rin kayo patatawarin ng inyong Ama.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for March 2, Monday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?

When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ i And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ * j Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’  Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ l And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of the last judgment?

Jesus speaks about the last judgment today, the separation of those who are worthy in His eyes and those who are not. Those who are worthy will be at His right and those who are not will be at His left. 

Do we need to fear His last judgment? Of course not! We who truly follow Jesus should not fear the judgment of God. If it comes to us we would welcome it with open arms, we will not hide from it.

Why welcome the judgment of God with open arms? For the reason that we did what we have to do, we feed the hungry. We gave water to the thirsty, we welcomed strangers without any reservations. We clothed the naked, we took care of the sick and visited those who were in prison.

Put these virtues together and we could label it now as Devine charity. We give not a part of ourselves to help our fellow human beings but our very selves. We give and help the marginalized without any hidden motives whatsoever for we are just doing what Christ Jesus told us to do.

Someday we will be joining the multitude of souls in the great beyond. But the paradox of the end of our lives is we don’t know which side we would be. Would we end up on the right side or left side of God?

Nobody knows except God, for now we simply have to continue our journey of faith, love and obedience to Him. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday March 1, First Sunday of Lent: Matthew 4:1-11

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." He said in reply, "It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test." Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve."

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

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Reflection:

The story is told of a man who had been faithful to his wife all throughout their marriage. When he was asked about the secret of his faithfulness, he answered: “I always remember our marriage vows  and I’ve learned the secret on how to avoid temptations or tempting situations by rejecting it outright.” 

Everyday in our lives the tempter is always there to bait us with his wicked temptations. For example the temptation to steal, to betray the marriage vows, to be arrogant and so forth. What is the antidote to all these temptations? It’s our perpetual connection with God.

The devil is always at our backs watching us and the moment he sees that we are not connected with God. He will immediately present himself as an alternative. All of us are candidates to be in the ring with these temptations. But it’s actually not impossible for us to defeat these wicked enticements by the devil.

How did Jesus rejected the three temptations of the devil in the gospel? In each temptation He was always invoking the name of God in His words and deeds. So, it’s the same with us; as long as we are always connected with God in our worship and in our deeds we are safe to avoid the many attractive yet wicked enticements of the devil.

In this first Sunday of Lent we are reminded to always be connected with God. And to allow God to take control of our lives not us and the devil taking control of our lives.

Are you always connected with God and do you always allow God to take control of your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 1, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 4:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 4:1-11

1 Dinala ng Espiritu si Jesus sa disyerto upang tuksuhin siya ng diyablo. 2 Pagkatapos ng apatnapung araw at apatnapung gabing di kuma­kain, nagutom si Jesus. 3 Kaya lumapit sa kanya ang demon­yo at sinabi: “Kung ikaw nga ang Anak ng Diyos, utusan mo ang mga batong ito na maging tinapay.”

4 Ngunit suma­got si Jesus: “Sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Hindi sa tinapay lamang nabu­buhay ang tao kun­di sa bawat namumutawi sa bibig ng Diyos.” 5 Dinala naman siya ng diyablo sa Banal na Lunsod, inilagay siya sa naka­usling pader ng Templo, 6 at sinabi: “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, tumalon ka paibaba pagkat sinasabi ng Kasulatan: Uutusan ng Diyos ang kanyang mga anghel para sa iyo.

Bubuhatin ka nila upang hindi matisod ang iyong paa sa bato.” 7 Suma­got si Jesus: “Ngunit ­sinasabi rin ng Kasu­latan: Huwag mong hamunin ang Panginoon mong Diyos.” 8 At agad na dinala ng diyablo si Jesus sa isang napakataas na bundok at ipinakita sa kanya ang lahat ng bansa ng daigdig sampu ng kaya­manan at kada­kilaan ng mga ito.

9 At sinabi sa kanya: “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang lahat ng ito kung luluhod ka at sasamba sa akin.” 10 Kaya sumagot si Jesus: “Lumayo ka, Satanas! Sinasabi nga ng Kasulatan: Sambahin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos; siya la­mang ang iyong paglilingkuran.” 11 Kaya iniwan siya ng diyablo at luma­pit naman ang mga anghel at nag­lingkod sa kanya.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Saturday February 29, Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.

The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."

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Reflection:

What made Jesus call Levi to follow Him and what made Levi leave everything behind to follow Jesus? Of course the main reason was Levi was a sinner and he was tired of living a life of sin. Therefore when Levi was called by Jesus he threw caution to the wind to follow Jesus. For he knew that at long last there is someone who’s not judging him. And someone who’s willing to give him a second chance to live life away from sin.

In this gospel episode Jesus gives us valuable lesson on how we can call others to conversion. First is let us not be judgmental with those whom we perceive as sinners. Who are we to judge when we are sinners also? Second is let us always give others a second chance no matter how sinful they are.

There are many who are itching to live their lives away from sin but no one is willing to give them a second chance. It seems to them that almost everyone is condemning them. If only we know that they are already sick and tired of living in sin. If only we know that they are just waiting for us to call them to a life of renewal.

Let us make it our vow not to be judgmental. Let us make it our vow to give those whom we perceive as sinners a second chance. There are sinners because there are people who are judgmental and people who are not willing to give them a second chance. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado Pebrero 29, Sabado pagkaraan ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 5:27-32

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 5:27-32

27 Nakita ni Jesus ang isang kolektor ng buwis na nagngangalang Levi na naka­upo sa paningilan ng buwis. Sinabi niya rito: “Sumunod ka sa akin.” 28 Tu­mayo naman ito, iniwan ang lahat at sumunod sa kanya.

29 Naghandog sa kanya si Levi ng isang marang­yang handaan sa kanyang bahay at nakisalo sa kanila ang maraming kolektor ng buwis at iba pang mga tao. 30 Dahil dito’y pabulong na nag­reklamo ang mga Pariseo at ang panig sa kanilang mga guro ng Batas sa mga alagad ni Jesus: “Bakit kayo kuma­kain at umiinom kasama ng mga mani­ningil ng buwis at mga maka­sa­lanan?”

31 Sumagot naman si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: “Hindi ang malulusog ang na­ngangailangan ng doktor kundi ang mga may­sakit. 32 Hindi ako pumarito para tawagin ang mabu­buti kundi ang mga makasalanan tungo sa pagba­balik-loob.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

1Reflection for Friday February 28, Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

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Reflection:

Do you practice fasting? 

The church teaches us that we have to observe fasting during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Does it have any basis in the Bible? Yes just to name a few: Jonah 3:7, Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.

Matthew 4:2: “He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.”

Matthew 6:16: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.

To practice fasting is an edifying experience for we would discover that we can still be productive even if we are fasting. For as long as we focus our attention to Jesus who observed fasting for forty days in the desert. And in the process was tempted in vain by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).   

But more than the voluntary denial of food it also requires us to fast from doing anything that would offend God and our fellowmen. From doing anything that would defile us physically and spiritually. For example we fast from committing sin, we fast from judging our neighbor and so forth.  

In the gospel Jesus was asked by the Pharisees and John’s disciples why His followers were not fasting. Jesus answered them that there’s no reason yet for them to fast for the reason that He is with them (Matthew 9:15).

When are we going therefore to be with Jesus so that we will not anymore practice fasting? It’s when we die and eventually ascend to heaven, there we will be with Jesus and we will not be fasting anymore.

But for the mean time that we are still in this world we have to observe fasting not only with food but with anything that makes us sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes Pebrero 27, Biyernes pagkaraan ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Mateo 9:14-15

Mabuting Balita: Mateo:9:14-15
14 Noo’y lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad ni Juan at nagtanong: “May araw ng ayuno kami at ang mga Pariseo, at wala bang pag-aayuno ang iyong mga alagad?”

15 Sinagot sila ni Jesus: “Puwede bang magluksa ang mga abay sa kasalan habang kasama pa nila ang nobyo? Darating ang panahon na aagawin sa kanila ang nobyo at sa araw na iyon sila mag-aayuno.

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Thursday February 27, Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

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Reflection:

A man of the world was on the verge of ending his life, he decided to go to a cliff to jump so that he could end everything.  On his way he saw a church that had an inscription of the words of Jesus that says: Come follow me (Matthew 9:14). He gave it a serious thought and decided to go to that church and inquired about it.

 There he was informed that it was a call to vocation in the service of the Lord. He thereafter decided not to end his life he instead responded to the instant vocation call. And soon after he found God and he also discerned the true meaning of his life with Jesus. 

Many of us spend our lifetime to pursue our earthly ambition such as to be rich and powerful. And then when we reach the pinnacle of our ambitions we also discover that something is still lacking or missing. We yearn for something that is meaningful and something that would satisfy our inner being.   

This something that is meaningful that we yearn is no other than God. No matter how rich and powerful some of us may become we would still not have contentment and peace of mind. For the simple reason that only God will gives peace of mind only God will give us inner calmness and healing. But to follow God is not easy because this would entail us to carry our own cross.

But the big question is this: Would we be willing to carry that cross? Would we willing to give away our life to God so that He could save it and make full use of it? – Marino J. Dasmarinas        

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Pebrero 27, Huwebes pagkaraan ng Miyerkules ng Abo: Lucas 9:22-25

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:22-25

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Kaila­ngang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papatayin siya at muling babangon sa ikatlong araw.”

23 Sinabi naman ni Jesus sa lahat: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus araw-araw para sumunod sa akin. 24 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng kanyang sarili alang-alang sa akin ay siyang ma­ka­­pagliligtas nito. 25 Ano ang pakinabang ng tao tubuin man niya ang buong daig­dig at mawawala naman o mapapahamak ang kanyang sarili?  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Wednesday February 26, Ash Wednesday (Fasting and Abstinence): Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who had the habit of showing off through social media the good and pious acts that he does. For example, when he attends Mass he would take pictures of it and post it in his facebook. He does the same thing when he does acts of compassion, he does this so that his friends would take notice of it.  

The three core teachings of the gospel this Ash Wednesday is about Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting. Unlike our many facebook posts (pictures, comments, likes, etc…) wherein we show off so that our friends and many others will know who we are and what we are doing. We are being invited by Jesus to permanently veer away from this selfish and ego tripping mentality.

On the aspect of Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting, Jesus is inviting us to do these noble acts without letting everyone know about it. Let us do these acts piety privately and ensure that nobody will know about it.

For if we do these hidden from the prying eyes of our friends and the public at large. We would then earn approval from Jesus. Because this is what Jesus would always want us to do for as long as we live: Do our noble acts hidden from anyone’s eye.

In the same breath, lent is also an invitation for us to reflect about our life, concerning our relationship with Jesus and the many sins that we have committed. For example concerning our sins; would we just let this sins remain or we will do something about it by humbly submitting ourselves to the Sacrament of Confession?

Our many sins pull us further away from God and if we are not careful we may live our life permanently away from the love of God. Would we want a life permanently cut off from the love of God?  Of course not! Nobody wants to live his/her own life away from the love of God.

Therefore, let us take a deeper spiritual reflection about our life this Ash Wednesday in particular and during lent in general. Let us take a closer look at our sinfulness, the fragility of life and our personal relationship with Jesus.

Are we still mindful of our sins, are we still aware that life can end anytime and how personal and deep is our relationship with the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Pebrero 26, Miyerkules ng Abo: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 6:1-6, 16-18

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad  pag-ingatang huwag maging pakitang-tao lamang ang in­yong mabubuting gawa. Kung ganito ang ga­gawin ninyo, wala na kayong gantimpala sa inyong Amang nasa langit. 2 Kaya pag nagbibigay ka ng limos, huwag pahipan ang trumpeta sa unahan gaya ng gina­gawa ng mga mapagkunwari sa sinagoga at sa mga daan; gusto nilang mapuri ng mga tao. Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na nagan­timpala­an na sila nang husto.

3 Kaya kung ikaw naman ang magbi­bigay ng limos, huwag ipaalam sa iyong kaliwang kamay ang ginagawa ng iyong kanang kamay; 4 at mananatiling lihim ang iyong pagli­limos at ang iyong Amang nakakakita sa mga lihim ang siyang ga­gantimpala sa iyo.

5 Kung mananalangin kayo, huwag nin­yong tularan ang mga mapagkunwari. Gustung-gusto nilang tumayo sa mga sinagoga o sa mga daan para manala­ngin nang nakikita ng marami. Sinisi­guro ko sa inyo na nagantimpa­laan na sila nang husto. 6 At kung ikaw naman ang mana­nalangin, pumasok sa iyong silid, isara ang pinto at mana­langin sa iyong Ama na kasama mo nang lihim; at ang iyong Ama na naka­kakita sa ipinag­lilihim ang gagantimpala sa iyo.

• 16 Pag mag-aayuno kayo, huwag magpakita ng lungkot sa mukha gaya ng mga mapagkunwari. Nagpapakita sila ng lungkot sa mukha para makita ng tao na nag-aayuno sila. Talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo na nagantimpalaan na sila nang husto. 17 Kung ikaw naman ang mag-aayuno, maghilamos at ayusin ang sarili 18 sapagkat hindi ka nag-aayuno para pakitang-tao lamang kun­di para sa iyong Amang naka­kakita sa lahat. At gagantimpalaan ka ng iyong Amang nakakakita sa lahat ng lihim.

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Tuesday February 25, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:30-37

Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst and putting his arms around it, he said to them “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me and whoever receives me receives not me but the One who sent me.

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Reflection:

What is the most important virtue of a follower of Jesus? It’s the virtue of humility. A humble follower of Jesus seeks to follow Him for no other reason but to humbly serve without seeking anything in return. He doesn’t follow Jesus because he/she wants to be known, to be powerful and to be popular.

While Jesus and His disciples were passing through Galilee, He was discussing to them about the things that will happen to Him soon. But the disciples were not paying attention for the reason that they were preoccupied discussing who among them was the greatest. What an ego trip for the disciples! Instead of listening to Jesus they were burnishing among themselves their own self-image. They were discussing who among them is the greatest.

During that instance the desire to humbly follow Jesus was not anymore present in their hearts. What was present in their hearts was arrogance, the desire to selfishly raise up their own self-image. And the desire to be great based on the finite standards of this world.    

If we truly desire to follow Jesus, we have to follow Him with humility. We have to forget our own selves; we have to discard any form of arrogance in our hearts and the desire to occupy the starring role. We have to be humble and simple at all times for this is the only way whereby we can bring others to Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Monday February 24, Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:14-29

Gospel: Mark 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

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Reflection:

How strong is your faith in Jesus?

In the gospel, a boy was possessed by an evil spirit, his father asked the disciples for help but they were unable to drive it out. Then the father saw Jesus who just came from the mountain. The father asked for help, he told Jesus: “I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

 Jesus said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Jesus was quite exasperated with his disciples because they were not able to drive out the evil spirit.

Jesus was also frustrated with the Father because he told him: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Jesus was frustrated with both the disciples and the father of the boy and the reason behind was their lack of faith! If only the disciples had faith they could have easily drove out the evil spirit but they had weak faith.

Are we not like the father and the disciples once in a while? We petition God to grant us our prayers yet we easily get impatient when He doesn’t reply immediately. And the reason for this impatience is our lack of faith.

Let us continue to bear in mind these words of Jesus: “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” (Mark 9:23) – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Pebrero 24, Ikapitong Linggo ng Taon: Marcos 9:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:14-29

14 Pagbalik nila Jesus, Pedro, Jaime at Juan sa mga alagad, nakita nila ang napakaraming tao na nakapa­libot sa mga ito at nakikipag­talo naman sa kanila ang mga guro ng Batas. 15 Na­mangha ang lahat pagka­kita sa kanila, at tumakbo sila para batiin siya.

16 Itinanong naman niya sa kanila: “Bakit kayo nakikipagtalo sa mga ito?” 17 At sina­got siya ng isang lalaki mula sa mga tao: “Guro, dinala ko sa iyo ang aking anak na lalaki na inaalihan ng isang piping espiritu. 18 At kung hina­ha­gip siya nito, inilulugmok siya sa lupa; nagbubula ang kanyang bibig, nagnga­ngalit ang mga ngipin at nani­nigas. Hi­ningi ko sa iyong mga alagad na pa­la­yasin ito pero hindi nila kaya.”

19 Sumagot si Jesus: “Mga walang pa­na­­­­nampalataya! Gaano pa katagal akong ma­nanatili sa piling ninyo? Hang­gang ka­ilan ako mag­titiis sa inyo? Dalhin siya rito sa akin.”

• 20 At pinalapit nila siya kay Jesus. Pag­kakita sa kanya ng espiritu, pina­ngatog nito ang bata at inilugmok sa lupa kaya nagpa­gulung-gulong siya at bumu­bula ang bibig. 21 Tinanong na­man ni Jesus ang ama: “Gaano na ka­tagal na nangyayari ito sa kanya?” 22 At sumagot ang ama: “Mula pa sa pagka­bata at ma­dalas nga siyang inihahagis sa apoy o sa batis para patayin. Ngu­nit kung kaya mo, maawa ka sa amin at pakitulungan kami.”

23 Sinagot siya ni Jesus: “Ano itong ‘kung kaya mo’? Lahat ay posible sa sumasam­pa­lataya.” 24 At agad na sumigaw ang ama ng bata sa pagsa­sabing “Sumasampalataya ako pero tulungan mo ang maliit kong pana­nam­palataya.”

25 Nakita ni Jesus na nagsisitakbo at luma­lapit na ang mga tao kaya iniutos niya sa masamang espiritu: “Pipi at binging espiritu, inuutusan kitang lu­ma­­bas sa kanya at huwag nang bu­malik.”

26 Nagsisigaw ang espiritu at ini­lugmok ang bata sa lupa bago luma­bas. At ani­mo’y patay ang bata kaya marami ang nagsabing “Na­matay.” 27 Ngunit pagkahawak ni Jesus sa ka­may nito, pinaba­ngon niya ito at pina­tindig.

28 Pagkapasok ni Jesus sa bahay, ti­na­nong siya ng mga alagad nang sari­linan: “Bakit hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” 29 Sinabi ni Jesus sa ka­nila: “Sa panalangin lamang mapala­layas ang ganitong klaseng espiritu.”

  

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for Sunday February 23, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

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

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Reflection:

The story is told about a wife who discovered that her husband was engaged into an adulterous relationship. The wife calmly told her husband, “You have to stop it otherwise I will live a quite life by myself.” The adulterous and arrogant husband did not stop and continued living his sinful life.  So, the woman left and she lived a quiet and righteous life by herself until she died.  

Jesus in our gospel gives us a blueprint on how we would act to those who did us wrong and to those who continue to do us wrong. Don’t get even and don’t fight fire with fire. Why? Because when we get even and when we fight fire with fire we are sucked into the sinful lifestyle of those people who do us wrong. We simply become like them; we embrace evil as they’ve embraced evil.

When we don’t fight fire with fire we always occupy the moral high ground and we refuse to be brought down to the gutter that they are in. We also give them an option to redeem themselves by inviting them to reflect on how we responded to the wrong that they’ve done. Thus, they might decide to renew their lives and permanently walk away from anything that make them sin.

The way of Jesus is always the right way it maybe hard to walk on that way but that is the right way. The way of the Lord is the way of non-violence to fight evil. The way of turning the other cheek to be slapped all over again. With the prayer in mind that those who did us wrong and who continue to do us wrong will have a conversion experience before it’s too late. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas