Reflection for March 4 Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:28-31

Gospel: Mark 10:28-31

Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you. 

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 

But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A young man was asking for the heart of his beloved. The beloved said to him, "You have to give up your vices, especially smoking, drinking, and womanizing." The young man acceded, and from then on, he never smoked, drank, or womanized. After a few months, they ended up at the altar of God to become one.

When we give up something for someone we dearly love, we can be assured of receiving something more worthy—something that will complete us. This may not make us happy immediately, but certainly, something beautiful will come out of it in place of what we gave up.

If we give up even a portion of our worldly life for Jesus, we can expect something in return from Him. It may not be material riches or worldly power, but we will certainly receive something from Him.

It may be peace of mind, which may have eluded us for the longest time. It could be good health or anything that cannot be measured or seen with our naked eyes, yet it can certainly be felt in our hearts.

When Jesus asks us to give up something for Him, we should hurry to obey and follow. We should never hesitate; instead, we should give it up immediately—like a child jumping with reckless abandon into his father’s arms.

What are you willing to immediately give up for Jesus? — Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 4 Martes sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:28-31

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:28-31

Noong panahong iyon, nagsalita si Pedro kay Hesus, “Tingnan po ninyo, iniwan namin ang lahat at kami’y sumunod sa inyo.” 

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo ito: ang sinumang mag-iwan ng bahay, o mga kapatid, ina, ama, mga anak, mga lupa, dahil sa akin at sa Mabuting Balita, ay tatanggap ng makasandaang ibayo sa buhay na ito – mga bahay, mga kapatid, mga ina, mga anak, at mga lupa – ngunit may kalakip na pag-uusig.

At sa kabilang buhay ay magkakaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Ngunit maraming nauuna na magiging huli, at maraming nahuhuli na magiging una.”

Reflection for March 3 Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:17-27

Gospel: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.” 

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” 

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A businessman was on his deathbed. As he lay in his final moments, his wife and all his children were by his side. Seeing them all, he suddenly wore a worried expression and said, “Why are you all here? Who’s tending the business?” He was in the throes of death, yet his mind was still fixated on his material wealth. 

What must we do to inherit eternal life? Jesus tells us to follow the commandments, sell what we have, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Him. This is how Saint Francis of Assisi lived his life. He was the son of a rich merchant, but he disowned all his inheritance and instead chose to help the poor. He lived a life of simplicity and poverty, relying more on God’s providence than on worldly possessions. 

There are people who are overly concerned with their material wealth, as if they could take it to the grave. Some are even willing to sell their souls to the devil just to be rich. But we should not invest in these things, for they are temporary and can be taken from us at any time. 

Instead, we should focus more on God rather than on this world. We should help those in need and steadfastly follow Christ. There is nothing wrong with being rich, as long as we do not make riches our god—and we can best avoid this by sharing what we have. Let us always remember that we are merely stewards of the things entrusted to us. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 3 Lunes sa Ikawalong Linggo ng Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 10:17-27

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 10:17-27

Noong panahong iyon, nang paalis na si Hesus ay may isang lalaking patakbong lumapit, lumuhod sa harapan niya at nagtanong, “Mabuting Guro, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang magkamit ng buhay na walang hanggan?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Bakit mo ako tinatawag na mabuti? Walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos. 

Alam mo ang mga utos: ‘Huwag kang papatay; huwag kang mangangalunya; huwag kang magnanakaw; huwag kang magsisinungaling sa iyong pagsaksi; huwag kang magdadaya; igalang mo ang iyong ama’t ina.’” “Guro,” sabi ng lalaki, “ang lahat po ng iya’y tinutupad ko na mula pa sa aking pagkabata.”

Magiliw siyang tiningnan ni Hesus, at sinabi sa kanya, “Isang bagay pa ang kulang sa iyo. Humayo ka, ipagbili mo ang iyong ari-arian at ipamigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan, at magkakaroon ka ng kayamanan sa langit.  

Pagkatapos, bumalik ka at sumunod sa akin.” Namanglaw ang lalaki nang marinig ito, at malungkot na umalis, sapagkat siya’y napakayaman. Tiningnan ni Hesus ang mga nasa paligid niya at sinabi sa kanyang mga alagad, “Napakahirap mapabilang ang mayayaman sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos.” Nagtaka ang mga alagad sa pananalitang ito.  

Muling sinabi ni Hesus, “Mga anak, talagang napakahirap mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos! Madali pang makaraan ang kamelyo sa butas ng karayom kaysa pasakop sa paghahari ng Diyos ang isang mayaman.” Lalong nagtaka ang mga alagad, kaya’t sila’y nagtanungan, “Kung gayo’y sino ang maliligtas?”

Tinitigan sila ni Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Hindi ito magagawa ng tao, ngunit hindi ito mahirap sa Diyos. Magagawa ng Diyos ang lahat ng bagay.” 

Reflection for March 2 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Luke 6:39-45

Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

Jesus told his disciples a parable, "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?  

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye.  

"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A woman saw a handsome man. The handsome man, sensing that the woman was looking at him, also looked at her. Their eyes met, and she immediately fell in love with him. After a few weeks, they got married. However, two months into their marriage, the man's domineering and arrogant behavior started to unravel. 

Are you easily swayed by outward appearances? For example, have you ever seen a handsome man or a beautiful woman and felt immediately attracted to that person? An attractive outward appearance can be very deceiving. Why? Simply because we cannot fully know a person's true character based on what we see. 

What we see is merely a façade—it can be faked. The exterior is not a reflection of a person's true character. A person's true nature lies hidden in their heart, and we can only discover it once we get to know them better.

Many young people today easily fall into the trap of being captivated by outward appearances. This is often what attracts them to their future spouse. However, after marriage, the hidden, dark, and devious aspects of their partner’s character may begin to emerge. 

The same applies to friendships. We should not choose friends based solely on wealth or influence. Instead, we should befriend people because of their good character. It does not matter if a person is poor—what truly matters is the goodness that emanates from their heart. 

In our first reading, according to the book of Sirach, it says: "One’s speech discloses the bent of one’s mind" (Sirach 27:6). And in our Gospel, Jesus tells us: “From the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). 

So, how can we avoid being misled by outward appearances? We must take the time to truly know a person by engaging in conversation with them and carefully discerning their words. 

For what a person speaks comes from the heart, and what originates from the heart is the true measure of their character. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 2 Ikawalong Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Lucas 6:39-45

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:39-45

Noong panahong iyon, tinanong ni Hesus ang kanyang mga alagad nang patalinghaga: “Maaari bang maging tagaakay ng bulag ang isa ring bulag? Kapwa sila mahuhulog sa hukay kapag ginawa ang gayun. Walang alagad na higit sa kanyang guro; ngunit kapag lubusang naturuan, siya’y magiging katulad ng kanyang guro. 

“Ang tinitingnan mo’y ang puwing ng iyong kapatid ngunit hindi mo pinapansin ang tahilan sa iyong mata. Paano mo masasabi sa iyong kapatid, ‘Kapatid, bayaan mong alisin ko ang iyong puwing,’ gayung hindi mo nakikita ang tahilang nasa iyong mata? Mapagpaimbabaw! Alisin mo muna ang tahilan sa iyong mata, at makakikita kang mabuti; sa gayo’y maaalis mo ang puwing ng iyong kapatid.” 

“Walang mabuting punongkahoy na namumunga ng masama, at walang masamang punongkahoy na namumunga ng mabuti. Nakikilala ang bawat punongkahay sa pamamagitan ng kanyang bunga. Sapagkat hindi nakapipitas ng igos sa puno ng aroma, at di rin nakapipitas ng ubas sa puno ng dawag. 

Ang mabuting tao ay nakapagdudulot ng mabuti sapagkat tigib ng kabutihan ang kanyang puso; ang masamang tao ay nakapagdudulot ng masama, sapagkat puno ng kasamaan ang kanyang puso. Sapagkat kung ano ang bukambibig siyang laman ng dibdib.