Reflection for March 1 Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:13-16

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

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Reflection:

Who are the main formators of children? Of course, it’s the parents. From their parents, children learn basic Christian values such as love for God, humility, obedience, and other virtues. Children learn almost everything from their parents. 

Therefore, virtues such as these are taught by parents to their children. What is taught by the parents is imbibed by their children. What is observed from parents is copied by children. 

For example, if children are taught by their parents about love for God and humility—and these teachings are also lived or practiced by the parents—it’s a no-brainer that they will grow up practicing these virtues throughout their lives. Conversely, if children are taught arrogance and they observe the same behavior from their parents, it’s a cinch that they will also become arrogant. 

Therefore, the mind of a child is fertile soil for the inculcation of proper Christian values by their elders, specifically their parents. 

In our Gospel, we see people (most probably parents) bringing children to Jesus. These people were trying to instill in the minds of the children that it is essential to go to Jesus, which is always the right thing to do. However, the disciples prevented them. When Jesus saw this, He became angry. He told the disciples to let the children come to Him, then He embraced them and blessed them by placing His hands on them. 

Let us not forget that the future of the children whom Jesus loves so dearly rests in our hands. We are the primary formators of our children, and the very first lesson we must teach them is love for God. Let us always bring them to Jesus, for He loves them even more than we do. 

Do you teach your children to love Jesus? Do you teach them to pray and listen to Him? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 1 Sabado sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:13-16

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:13-16

Noong panahong iyon, may nagdala ng mga bata kay Hesus upang hilinging ipatong niya sa mga ito ang kanyang kamay; ngunit pinagwikaan sila ng mga alagad. Nagalit si Hesus nang makita ito, at sinabi sa kanila, “Pabayaan ninyong lumapit sa akin ang mga bata, huwag ninyo silang sawayin, sapagkat sa mga katulad nila naghahari ang Diyos.  

Ito ang tandaan ninyo: ang sinumang hindi tumatanggap sa paghahari ng Diyos tulad ng isang maliit na bata ay hindi mapapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian niya.” At kinalong ni Hesus ang mga bata, ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanila at pinagpala sila.

Reflection for February 28 Friday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:1-12

Gospel: Mark 10:1-12

Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees approached him and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him. He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?” 

They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.” But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.” 

In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

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Reflection:

Are you faithful to your marriage vows? 

When a man and a woman are wed in the Catholic Church, the priest poses this question to them: 

"Do you take [name] as your lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?" The man and woman will answer: "I do." 

The marriage bond is meant to last forever, but the reality is that some married couples separate. I know of three couples who were married in the Church: 

Couple #1: The husband simply left his wife and two very young children.

Couple #2: The wife left her husband, even though they already had a baby.

Couple #3: The wife carried on an adulterous affair for more than three years. During that time, her husband constantly reminded her to stop, but she refused to listen—until he fully discovered her infidelity. 

Oftentimes, couples separate for selfish reasons. They care only about what they want and feel, without giving an iota of concern to the feelings of their spouse and children. Instead of separating, why not walk away permanently from whatever leads us into sin, give love a second chance, and ask Jesus to heal the marriage? 

Jesus said to his disciples: 

"A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate" (Mark 10:7-9). 

Then he added: 

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery" (Mark 10:11-12). 

The Sacrament of Marriage is one of the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The first miracle performed by Jesus was turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. The priest who presides over a wedding ceremony does so in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus himself said: "What God has joined together, no human being must separate" (Mark 10:9). 

Are you doing something to preserve the sanctity of your marriage? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 28 Biyernes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus ay nagtungo sa lupain ng Judea, at nagtuloy sa ibayo ng Ilog Jordan. Muli siyang pinagkalipumpunan ng mga tao, at tulad ng dati’y nagturo sa kanila. May mga Pariseong lumapit kay Hesus. Ibig nilang masilo siya kaya’t kanilang tinanong, “Naaayon ba sa Kautusan na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa?”  

 Tugon niya, “Ano ang utos sa inyo ni Moises?” Sumagot naman sila, “Ipinahintulot ni Moises na hiwalayan ng lalaki ang kanyang asawa matapos bigyan ng kasulatan sa paghihiwalay.” Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Dahil sa katigasan ng inyong ulo kaya niya inilagda ang utos na ito. Subalit sa pasimula pa, nang likhain ng Diyos ang sanlibutan: ‘Nilalang niya silang lalaki at babae. Dahil dito’y iiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama at ina, at magsasama sila ng kanyang asawa, at sila’y magiging isa.’ Kaya’t hindi na sila dalawa kundi isa. Ang pinagsama ng Diyos ay huwag paghiwalayin ng tao.”  

Pagdating sa bahay, ang mga alagad naman ang nagtanong kay Hesus tungkol sa bagay na ito. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ang sinumang lalaking humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay gumagawa ng masama sa kanyang asawa – siya’y nangangalunya. At ang babaing humiwalay sa kanyang asawa at mag-asawa sa iba ay nangangalunya rin.”

Reflection for February 27 Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:41-50

Gospel: Mark 9:41-50

Jesus said to his disciples: “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. 

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”

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Reflection:

What does sin bring to our lives? Sin wounds our lives and our relationships. It also dims the light of Jesus in our lives and allows the influence of Satan to pervade. 

When Jesus told His disciples about the severe punishments for sin, He was, in effect, telling them that they must avoid sin at all costs because there is always a price to pay for those who sin. It also served as a warning and a guide for the disciples as they faced the many temptations of their mission. 

But why do we sin? Why do we allow sin to overcome us? We sin because we love this world more than we love Jesus. We sin because we purposely reserve a dwelling place for the devil in our lives. We sin because we prefer a problematic life over a peaceful life with Jesus. 

However, come to think of it—what if we try to avoid sin? There would be peace in our lives, we would have fewer human-created problems, and we would surely be closer to Jesus. Try to avoid sin for just one day and see the blessings it brings into your life. Then, try to avoid sin for a week, a month, and eventually for the rest of your life. 

If we avoid sin, we inoculate our lives against Satan’s influence, and by doing so, we always invite Jesus to dwell in us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 27 Huwebes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:41-50

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:41-50

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: sinumang magbigay sa inyo ng isang basong tubig dahil sa kayo’y kay Kristo ay tiyak na gagantimpalaan. 

“Mabuti pa sa isang tao ang siya’y bitinan ng isang malaking gilingang-bato sa leeg at itapon sa dagat kaysa maging sanhi ng pagkakasala ng isa sa maliliit na ito na nananalig sa akin. Kung ang kamay mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo! 

Mabuti pa ang mapunta ka sa langit nang putol ang isang kamay kaysa may dalawang kamay na mahulog ka sa impiyerno, sa apoy na hindi mamamatay. Doo’y hindi mamamatay ang mga uod na kumakain sa kanila, at hindi mamamatay ang apoy. 

Kung ang paa mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, putulin mo! Mabuti pa ang mapunta ka sa langit nang putol ang isang paa kaysa may dalawang paa na mahulog ka sa impiyerno. Doo’y hindi mamamatay ang mga uod na kumakain sa kanila at hindi mamamatay ang apoy. 

At kung ang mata mo ang nagiging sanhi ng iyong pagkakasala, dukutin mo! Mabuti pa ang pumasok ka sa kaharian ng Diyos nang bulag ang isang mata kaysa may dalawang mata na mahulog ka sa impiyerno. Doo’y hindi mamamatay ang mga uod na kumakain sa kanila, at hindi mamamatay ang apoy. 

“Sapagkat ang bawat isa’y dadalisayin sa apoy. Mabuti ang asin, ngunit kung mawalan ng lasa, paano ito mapaaalat uli? Taglayin ninyo ang katangian ng asin, at sa gayo’y magiging mapayapa ang inyong pagsasamahan.”    

Reflection for February 26 Wednesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 9:38-40

Gospel: Mark 9:38-40

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. 

There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.”

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Reflection:

What prompted John to prevent someone from using the name of Jesus to exorcise a demon? Was it a feeling of superiority because he was directly connected with Jesus? Was it simply arrogance? 

No one has the exclusive right to the name of Jesus; anyone can invoke His name as long as it is for a good cause. We must not fall into the mistake of feeling superior to others simply because we have studied our religion, received an education, or hold a position in the church. 

God allows other Christian faiths to flourish for reasons known only to Him. Therefore, we have no right to claim exclusive ownership of Jesus, for He belongs to all of us. The moment we consider ourselves superior to others because we know Jesus, we cease to be His true followers. 

Jesus is for everyone, regardless of who we are. And everyone has the right to call upon His powerful name for a noble and good purpose. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 26 Miyerkules sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:38-40

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:38-40

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi kay Hesus ni Juan, “Guro, nakakita po kami ng isang taong nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng pangalan mo, at pinagbawalan namin sapagkat hindi natin siya kasamahan.” 

Ngunit sinabi ni Hesus, “Huwag ninyo siyang pagbawalan, sapagkat walang taong matapos gumawa ng kababalaghan sa pangalan ko ang agad magsasalita ng masama laban sa akin. Sapagkat ang hindi laban sa atin ay panig sa atin. 

Reflection for February 25 Tuesday of the 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:

Why Do You Follow Jesus?

As Jesus and the disciples were walking, He told 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” (Mark 9:31). But they did not pay much attention to what Jesus told them because they were busy conversing about who among them was the greatest.

We assume that Jesus and the disciples had just finished their mission of preaching the Kingdom of God. They performed miracles such as healing the sick, expelling demons, and more. Because of these miraculous acts, the disciples’ high regard for themselves got the better of them. They were already angling to claim the title of the greatest among the disciples.

Are not many of us like the disciples? Do many of us not have hidden motives when we do acts of kindness? Do many of us not desire to be praised for what we do? Do many of us not feel proud when we do good things? Was it possible that the disciples were feeding their own egos, which is why they were discussing who was the greatest among them?

In the midst of their bloated egos, Jesus gave them a valuable lesson about humility and what it means to be humble servants of the Lord and His people. Thus, He told them: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

In other words, if you want to be a leader, be a humble servant—someone who is always ready to serve without seeking accolades or honors. A true leader desires to serve humbly, always walking his talk and practicing what he preaches. This is what Jesus wanted the disciples to embrace: to become humble servants.

This is also what Jesus wants for us. However, some of us are the opposite of the servant leader that Jesus envisioned. Instead of placing the title of "leader" in our hearts, we place it in our heads. That is why many of us become false and arrogant leaders—those who merely give orders, abuse their authority, and take advantage of innocent followers.

As a result, we serve only our personal interests. The servant leadership that Jesus’ desires for us is completely pushed aside, replaced by our greed for power, our ego, and our arrogance.

What must we do so that we can rightfully claim to follow the greatest servant leader who ever walked this earth? We must be humble at all times; we must continuously decrease while Jesus increases through our acts of humility.

The mistake of many who follow Jesus is that we often act without humility. We feel superior because we have a distorted sense of closeness to Jesus when, in reality, we are not. Our intimacy with the Lord is not defined by religious titles, ranks, or positions, nor is it determined by the frequency of our worship.

Our closeness to Jesus is measured by how we live out His virtue of humility. — Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 25 Martes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:30-37

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:30-37

Noong panahong iyon, sina Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay nagdaan sa Galilea. Ayaw ni Hesus na malaman ito ng mga tao, sapagkat tinuturuan niya ang kanyang mga alagad. Sinabi niya: “Ang Anak ng Tao ay ipagkakanulo at papatayin, ngunit muling mabubuhay sa ikatlong araw.” Hindi nila naunawaan ang sinabi niya, ngunit natatakot naman silang magtanong sa kanya. 

At dumating sila sa Capernaum. Nang sila’y nasa bahay na, tinanong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga alagad, “Ano ba’ng pinagtatalunan ninyo sa daan?” Hindi sila kumibo, sapagkat ang pinagtatalunan nila’y kung sino sa kanila ang pinakadakila. Naupo si Hesus, tinawag ang Labindalawa at sinabi, “Ang sinumang nagnanais maging una ay dapat maging huli sa lahat, at maging lingkod ng lahat.”

Tinawag niya ang isang maliit na bata, at pinatayo sa harapan nila. Pagkatapos, kinalong niya ito at sinabi, “Ang sinumang tumanggap sa isang maliit na batang tulad nitong alang-alang sa akin ay tumatanggap sa akin; at sinumang tumanggap sa akin — hindi ako ang kanyang tinatanggap kundi yaong sa aki'y nagsugo.

Reflection for February 24 Monday of the 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:

Is it possible for the disciples to lack faith? Yes. Even though they were always with Jesus, it was still possible for them to lack faith. Perhaps, because they were with Jesus every day, His presence became ordinary to them, and they began to treat Him as just one of them. Their extraordinary discipleship with Jesus became ordinary in their eyes. 

That is why they no longer had strong faith. Adding to this was their lack of a prayerful life. The result of their weak faith and lack of prayer was their failure to drive out the evil spirit from the boy. Therefore, Jesus admonished them to strengthen their faith and reignite their prayer life. 

Why do marriages fail? It is because both spouses oftentimes forget to have faith in the sacredness of their marriage. Being together every day, they become too familiar with each other, treating each other in an ordinary way. Their marriage loses its fervent, unifying prayer life, and as a result, it becomes a casualty. 

Let us take Jesus’ admonition to the disciples personally—to have faith and a more fervent prayer life. Let us also apply it to our married life, making prayer an essential part of it. 

If only we invested more in prayer in our marriages, perhaps there would be fewer marriage failures. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 24 Lunes sa Ikapitong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 9:14-29

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:14-29

Noong panahong iyon, habang bumababa si Hesus sa bundok, kasama sina Pedro, Santiago at Juan, ay nakita nila ang napakaraming taong nakapaligid sa mga alagad na naiwan, at ang mga eskriba na nakikipagtalo sa mga ito. Nagulat ang mga tao nang makita nila si Hesus. Sila’y patakbong lumapit sa kanya, at binati siya.  

Tinanong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga alagad, “Ano ba ang pinagtatalunan ninyo at ng mga taong iyon?” Sumagot ang isa mula sa karamihan, “Guro, dinala ko po rito sa inyo ang aking anak na lalaki, sapagkat siya’y inaalihan ng masamang espiritu, at hindi makapagsalita. Tuwing aalihan siya nito, siya’y inilulugmok; bumubula ang kanyang bibig at nagngangalit ang kanyang ngipin, at siya’y naninigas.  

Hiniling ko po sa inyong mga alagad na palayasin ang espiritu, ngunit hindi nila napalayas ito!” Sinabi ni Hesus sa kanila, “Lahing walang pananampalataya! Hanggang kailan ako dapat manatiling kasama ninyo? Hanggang kailan ko kayo pagtitiisan?

Dalhin ninyo rito ang bata!” At dinala nga nila ito sa kanya. Nang si Hesus ay makita ng espiritu, biglang pinapangisay nito ang bata, anupa’t napalugmok ito sa kanya, at gumugulong-gulong na bumubula ang bibig.  

“Kailan pa siya inalihan ng masamang espiritu?” tanong ni Hesus sa ama. “Mula pa po sa kanyang pagkabata!” tugon niya. “Madalas siyang ihagis nito sa apoy at sa tubig upang patayin. Kaya kung may magagawa kayo, mahabag po kayo sa amin at tulungan ninyo kami.” “Kung may magagawa!” ulit ni Hesus. “Mapangyayari ang lahat sa may pananalig.” Kaagad sumagot nang malakas ang ama ng bata, “Nananalig po ako! Tulungan ninyo ako bagamat ako’y nagkulang.”  

Nang makita ni Hesus na dumaragsa ang mga tao, pinagsabihan niya ang masamang espiritu, “Ikaw, espiritung nagpapapipi at nagpapabingi – iniuutos ko sa iyo: lumabas ka sa bata! At huwag ka nang papasok sa kanya!” Nagsisigaw ang masamang espiritu, pinapangisay ang bata, at saka lumabas. Naging mistulang bangkay ang bata, kaya’t ang sabi ng marami. “Patay na!”  

Subalit siya’y hinawakan ni Hesus sa kamay at ibinangon. At tumindig ang bata. Nang pumasok na si Hesus sa bahay, palihim siyang tinanong ng kanyang mga alagad, “Bakit po hindi namin napalayas ang espiritu?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ang ganitong uri ng espiritu ay hindi mapalalayas kundi sa pamamagitan ng panalangin.”

Reflection for February 23 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:27-38

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. 

Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  

Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.  

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

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Reflection:

How do you love? 

All of us will agree that we can easily love those who give us love in return. But are we willing to love those who have hurt us or those who continue to hurt us? Mother Teresa once said, “If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” 

A wife or husband who truly loves would continue to love their spouse despite the betrayal of their marriage covenant. Many marriages fail because we put limits on how we give love. For example, if a wife discovers that her husband is being unfaithful, her initial reaction might be to take revenge, to do the same, and to stop loving her philandering husband. But what will happen if our attitude is like that? There would be many broken marriages and many suffering children simply because we put limits on how we give our love. 

Jesus, in our Gospel, advises us to change this mindset of reactive love and to elevate our understanding of love to a much higher level—perhaps to the level of God’s love for us. But are we capable of raising our love and the way we give love to a higher level? 

If we truly love Jesus, we would be able to forgive and love again—even a spouse who has betrayed us. We would be able to love our siblings or relatives who have hurt us and refuse to listen to our well-meaning advice. We would be able to love a friend who has betrayed our trust. 

Jesus tells us in the Gospel: “For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same” (Luke 6:32-33). —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Pebrero 23 Ikapitong na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:27-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:27-38

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, mga nakikinig: Ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, gawan ninyo ng mabuti ang mga napopoot sa inyo, pagpalain ninyo ang mga sumusumpa sa inyo, idalangin ninyo ang mga umaapi sa inyo.  

Kapag sinampal ka sa isang pisngi, iharap mo rin ang kabila. Kapag inaagaw ang iyong balabal, ibigay mo pati ang iyong baro. Bigyan mo ang bawat nanghihingi sa iyo: at kung may kumuha sa iyong ari-arian ay huwag mo nang bawiin pa ang mga iyon. Gawin ninyo sa iba ang ibig ninyong gawin nila sa inyo. 

“Kung ang iibigin lamang ninyo ay ang mga umiibig sa inyo, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay umiibig din sa mga umiibig sa kanila. At kung ang gagawan lamang ninyo ng mabuti ang gumagawa sa inyo ng mabuti, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? 

Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay gumagawa rin nito! Kung ang pahihiramin lamang ninyo ay ang mga taong inaasahan ninyong makababayad sa inyo, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Kahit ang mga makasalanan ay nagpapahiram din sa mga makasalanan sa pag-asang ang mga ito’y makababayad! 

Sa halip, ibigin ninyo ang inyong mga kaaway, at gawan ninyo sila ng mabuti. Magpahiram kayo, na hindi umaasa ng anumang kabayaran. Sa gayun, malaking gantimpala ang tatamuhin ninyo, at kayo’y magiging mga anak ng Kataas-taasan. Sapagkat siya’y mabuti sa masasama at sa mga hindi marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob. Maging mahabagin kayo gaya ng inyong Ama.”  

“Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan ng Diyos. Huwag kayong magparusa at hindi kayo parurusahan ng Diyos. Magpatawad kayo sa inyong kapwa, at patatawarin kayo ng Diyos. Magbigay kayo, at bibigyan kayo ng Diyos: hustong takal, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw pa ang ibibigay sa inyo. Sapagkat ang takalang ginagamit ninyo sa iba ay siya ring gagamitin sa inyo.” 

Reflection for Saturday February 22 Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Saint Peter? 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the Church through him, and he was also the leader of the Twelve. Peter unwaveringly spread the Gospel of Jesus, even at the expense of his own life. 

If someone were to ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure our answer would depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may say that Jesus is a friend who is always there for us, a friend who walks with us and is ever ready to listen to us. 

This was the question Jesus posed to His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The people were unsure, for they did not know Jesus well. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in response, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah.” Peter knew Jesus well because, more than any other apostle, he was always prominently with Jesus (Matthew 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41). 

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to be arrested by the Roman soldiers, it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier (John 18:10). Peter was the first apostle to enter the empty tomb of Jesus (Luke 24:12), and he was the first apostle to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection (Luke 24:34). 

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through our prayers, through the Sacraments, and by always being present at Sunday Mass? Like Peter, do we have the desire to know Jesus fully by regularly reading the Bible, especially the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? 

If Jesus were to ask you this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” would He be satisfied with your reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Sabado Pebrero 22 Kapistahan ng Luklukan ni Apostol San Pedro: Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila.

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan.

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."

Reflection for February 21 Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:34-9:1

Gospel: Mark 8:34-9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. 

What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 

He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

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Reflection:

What is this cross that Jesus wants us to carry the moment we decide to follow Him? 

The cross that Jesus mentioned is the cross of suffering but let us not worry because we will not be overburdened by this cross. No matter how hard/heavy this cross will be we will be able to carry it. Why? Because Jesus will be there to help us carry it. 

It is also in carrying our life’s crosses that we will have a clearer picture of who really is Jesus. Therefore, Jesus will become more real to us because of this cross. Lest we forget, life with Jesus is not a bed of roses; it’s rather a bed of crosses. 

We therefore have to be ready to carry our own cross and let us not be afraid to carry that cross. Because life without carrying our own cross is life without Jesus. 

Are you carrying your own cross right now? If you are you have nothing to worry because Jesus’ abiding presence is with you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 21 Biyernes sa Ika-anim na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:34-9:1

Noong panahong iyon, pinalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao, pati ang kanyang mga alagad, at sinabi, “Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin ang kanyang krus at sumunod sa akin. Ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang buhay ay siyang mawawalan nito; ngunit ang mag-alay ng kanyang buhay alang-alang sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita ay siyang magkakamit niyon.  

Ano nga ang mapapala ng isang tao, makamtan man niya ang buong daigdig kung ang katumbas naman nito’y ang kanyang buhay? Ano ang maibabayad ng tao para mabalik sa kanya ang kanyang buhay? Kapag ang sinuman ay nahiyang kumilala sa akin at sa aking mga salita sa harapan ng lahing ito na makasalanan at hindi tapat sa Diyos, ikahihiya rin siya ng Anak ng Tao, pagparito niya na taglay ang dakilang kapangyarihan ng kanyang Ama, at kasama ang mga banal na anghel.”  

Sabi pa ni Hesus sa kanila, “Tandaan ninyo: may ilan sa inyo rito na hindi mamamatay hangga’t di nila nakikitang naghahari ang Diyos nang may buong kapangyarihan.”

Reflection for February 20 Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-33

Gospel: Mark 8:27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

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Reflection:

Are you afraid of suffering? 

When Jesus told the disciples that He would have to endure severe suffering and eventually be killed, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him. Perhaps Peter believed that Jesus was immune to suffering because He is God. However, enduring great suffering was part of Jesus' destiny—He had to go through it to fulfill His salvific mission for us. 

What happened after Jesus' suffering and death on the cross? There was His glorious resurrection, salvation, and, after a few days, His ascension into heaven. What would have happened if Jesus had not suffered? If He had not died on the cross? 

As human beings, we are also bound to suffer. There will be moments of suffering in our lives for as long as we exist. But let us not fear suffering, for it is part of life. Instead, let us see it as a glorious opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. For it is in our suffering that we cultivate a personal relationship with Him. 

If Jesus suffered, who are we to expect a life without suffering? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 20 Huwebes sa Ika-anim na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:27-30

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-33

Noong panahong iyon, si Hesus, kasama ang kanyang mga alagad, ay nagtungo sa mga nayon ng Cesarea, sakop ni Filipo. Samantalang sila’y naglalakbay, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?”

Sumagot sila, “Ang sabi ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo; sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo; at may nagsasabi pang isa kayo sa mga propeta.” “Kayo naman – ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?” tanong niya. “Kayo ang Kristo,” tugon ni Pedro. “Huwag ninyong sasabihin kaninuman kung sino ako,” mahigpit na utos niya sa kanila.

Mula noon, ipinaalam na ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad na ang Anak ng Tao’y dapat magbata ng maraming hirap. Siya’y itatakwil ng matatanda ng bayan, ng mga punong saserdote at ng mga eskriba at ipapapatay. Ngunit sa ikatlong araw, muli siyang mabubuhay. Maliwanag na sinabi niya ito sa kanila.

Kaya’t niyaya siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulang pagsabihan. Ngunit humarap si Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad at pinagwikaan si Pedro: “Lumayo ka, Satanas! Ang iniisip mo’y hindi sa Diyos Kundi sa tao.”

Reflection for February 19 Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:22-26

Gospel: Mark 8:22-26

When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” 

Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly. Then he sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

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Reflection:

Have You Led Someone to Jesus? 

When Jesus and His party arrived at Bethsaida, people led a blind man to Him and asked Jesus to cure him. Who were these people who guided the blind man to Jesus? We don’t know who they were. But even if we don’t know them, we know that they believed in Jesus. We also know that they lived their faith; otherwise, they would not have escorted the blind man to Jesus. 

Do you believe in Jesus, and are you living your faith? It’s quite easy to say that we believe in the Lord, but have we led someone closer to Him? Believing in the Lord is not enough—we also have to live our belief in Him. What is the use of saying we believe if we don’t live out our belief? Therefore, we must live this faith by guiding our fellowmen closer to the Lord. 

Jesus wants us to know that there are many more blind men and women out there who badly need to be led to Him. Let us look around our environment, and we will find them. Let us make friends with them by living our faith, and let us share the life-changing words of Jesus with them—because our faith bears more fruit when we lead others closer to Him. 

Have you already led someone closer to Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 19 Miyerkules sa Ikaanim na Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:22-26

Noong panahong iyon, dumating sina Hesus at ang mga alagad sa Betsaida. Dinala kay Jesus ng ilang tao ang isang bulag at ipinamanhik na hipuin ito. Inakay niya ito sa labas ng bayan, niluran sa mga mata saka ipinatong ang kanyang mga kamay. "May nakikita ka na bang anuman?" tanong niya.  

Tumingin ang lalaki at ang wika, "Nakakakita po ako ng mga taong lumalakad, ngunit sila'y parang punongkahoy." Muling hinipo ni Jesus ang mga mata ng bulag; ito'y tuminging mabuti. Nanumbalik ang kanyang paningin at malinaw na niyang nakita ang lahat. Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Umuwi ka na. Huwag ka nang dumaan sa bayan."

Reflection for February 18 Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:14-21

Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, “Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread.  

When he became aware of this he said to them, “Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?  

They answered him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?” They answered him, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”

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Reflection:

Do you allow the enticements of this world to take your focus off Jesus? For example, the Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass—many of us today sometimes do not pay much attention to this highest form of worship inside the church. We sacrifice it for our many worldly undertakings, which do nothing but pull us away from Jesus. Do you allow this to happen to you? 

In the Gospel, Jesus admonished His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod. He used leaven as a metaphor, warning them not to be swayed by the influence of the Pharisees and Herod, who sought to lead them away from Him. 

Both the Pharisees and Herod represent power—the power of religion and government—which, for all intents and purposes, are worldly and temporary. Jesus was, in essence, telling His disciples not to leave Him for them. He was reminding them not to favor the world over their love for God. 

The secular world offers many inducements: power, money, greed, popularity, lust, ego, self-centeredness, and more. We must be careful of these worldly attachments and not allow ourselves to be deceived by these temporary enticements. 

Instead, let us remain steadfast in our love, fellowship, and fidelity to Jesus through our words and actions. For what do we gain if we have all the things this world can offer but do not have God? — Marino J. Dasmarinas