Reflection for Saturday, March 23; Second Week of Lent; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.  He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

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Reflection:

What if the prodigal son did not decide to go back to his father? What would have happened to him? It’s sure that he could have ended in a very problematic situation. But he returned for he realized his mistake, he returned because he badly wants to once again feel the unconditional love of his father.

This parable is also for us who are like the prodigal son. Jesus is inviting us all to repent from our own sinfulness and go back to Him. He wants us to know that He is there eternally waiting for us. Ever ready to embrace us again with His unconditional love and forgiveness.

Where would we go if we will not go back to Jesus? We embrace this world? This world will only give us temporal happiness which afterwards will translate to become problems that could even destroy us. The riches of this world cannot give us peace of mind for the simple reason that it will only pull us farther away from the love of Jesus.

When the prodigal son decided to return, he knew that nothing compares to the love of his father. He knew that his father will still accept him without any questions being asked against him.

We are the modern-day prodigal sons and Jesus wants to embrace us with His unconditional love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for Friday, March 22; Second Week of Lent; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce. But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat, another they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other servants, more numerous than the first ones, but they treated them in the same way. Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?” They answered him, “He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times.” Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes?

Therefore, I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they knew that he was speaking about them. And although they were attempting to arrest him, they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.

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Reflection:

Do you see greed in the gospel?  Yes there is greed, the greed of the tenants. They did not give the rightful share of the landowner they instead kept to themselves what was supposed to be the landowner’s share. Was Jesus happy with the greed of the tenants? Of course not! Did the tenants’ greed cause their self-destruction? Yes absolutely!

Our greed will not bring us any good, it will only destroy us; the more that we are greedy the more that we hasten our self-destruction. The more that we are greedy the more that we alienate ourselves not only from the love of God but from the love and respect of our fellowmen as well.

So, what is the cure for our greed? The cure is generosity! If we are always generous we will not run out of things to give. We also free ourselves from the curse of greed which had destroyed so many already.  What is with material things that we are so greedy of it? Can it bring us closer to Jesus? Can we bring it to our graves when we die?

If the tenants in our gospel generously gave what was for the landowner. They could have continued their tenants and landowner relationship. They could have experienced prosperity, peace and they could have avoided destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Thursday, March 21; Second Week of Lent; Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. ’Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’

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Reflection:

A man who did not believe in God and in the afterlife wantonly wasted his life by living a life of sinful pleasures.   It was always a life of immoral satisfaction for him: drugs, sex, and other sinful things, in other words he had no time for God. This became his life because he did not believe in the existence of the afterlife much less God.

Is there really an afterlife or a life which will immediately replace our present life after our life in this world is over and done with already? The answer is a resounding yes! The gospel shows us that there is an afterlife which is very different from the life that we have today. There in the afterlife exist two kingdoms: the kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan where he  and his minions dwell.

In the gospel, we see the characters of the unnamed rich and indifferent man and the poor man named Lazarus. The rich man perhaps did not believe in the afterlife or was not aware that there is an afterlife that’s why he did not mind the poor man Lazarus who was in dire need of his help. He nonchalantly ignored Lazarus as if the poor man did not exist.

When both of them died there was a reversal of places: The poor man Lazarus who endured a difficult life when he was still alive was in the kingdom of God and the rich man who savored earthly life was in the dark kingdom of the devil.

Why was there a reversal of places? Because the rich man was indifferent to the crying need of the poor man Lazarus. If he only knew that Lazarus was very close to God. If he only knew that Lazarus could have been God in disguise. The lesson for us is very simple, we should not ignore the crying need of the poor and we should always be sensitive to their plight.      

Do we ignore the poor when we encounter them? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Wednesday, March 20; Second Week of Lent; Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus? Obviously it’s not our title/s or any worldly appendages. What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus is our readiness to humbly serve without seeking any recognition in return. This is what makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus.

Why do we follow Jesus in the first place? Is it for us to be exalted in the community where we belong? Is it for us to have influence? Do we make Jesus happy when we use Him for us to be exalted? Of course not! But this is where we always fall! We use Jesus as our springboard for us to be exalted and respected.

Can’t we simply fade away in silence after we’ve served our church or after we’ve done good to our fellowmen? Can’t we simply fade away and let our gentle and merciful God be in front so that He could attract more believers?

Many of us are afraid to be humble because we perceive humility as weakness. But truth be told, our humility is powerful very powerful that it creates endless echoes in the hearts of those who see it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

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

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

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

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

Can you imagine what would have happened if Saint Joseph did not cooperate with the plan of God? For example, if he pursued his plan to quietly divorce the Blessed Mother. If he did not listen to the angel of the Lord who spoke to him in his dream.

But in his humility and docility Joseph listened to God, thus he discontinued his plan to quietly divorce Mary. He instead brought her home to shield her from any public scandal. Such is Joseph a Godly man, a man who valued the voice of God dearly.

Saint Joseph did not stop by assuming his responsibility, he also ensured that his family would be protected from any harm. When He was told by an angel to bring his family to Egypt because of the threat against Jesus he brought them to Egypt (Matthew 2:13).  When he was told once again by the angel that they could now safely return to Israel he did so without asking any question (Matthew 2:20).

Let us be inspired by the life of Saint Joseph: His humility, his willingness to listen to the voice of God. His unconditional love and protection for his wife and his child. His character of being a responsible spouse and parent.

Let us therefore reflect on how we carry out our roles as a child of God, as a parent and as a spouse. Do we listen to the voice of God? Are we loving and protective to our respective families? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for Monday, March 18; Second Week of Lent; Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as 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:

What is this mercy that Jesus speaks about in our gospel today? This is an encompassing mercy, mercy that has no limitation and mercy that we truly give even to our enemies. Often times our mercy is selective we give mercy to those whom we thought deserves our mercy. But to those who we think doesn’t deserve our mercy we don’t.

The mercy of Jesus is an encompassing mercy. It’s for all of us regardless of how grave our sins are. It doesn’t discriminate and it’s always there available for us. We find this mercy of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. Through the priest who acts in the person of Jesus we are able to receive this healing and merciful sacrament through the priest absolution of our sins.   

Are we taking advantage of this mercy of Jesus? It may be yes or no, the season of lent is the most opportune time for us to humbly submit to this healing and merciful sacrament. The moment we submit to confession we would feel that a big burden has been lifted off our backs.

One of the famous lines of the prayer of saint Francis states: It is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. Perhaps one of his inspirations when he wrote this prayer is our gospel for today.

It is indeed true that it is through giving and through our generosity that we will receive more than what we’ve given.   It is in forgiving that we will be forgiven. Who does the giving back of the gifts that we’ve given? Who forgives us when we unconditionally forgive those who’ve hurt us? He is none other than Jesus himself.

Many of us are not aware of this anymore because we’ve already distanced ourselves from Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday March 17, Second Sunday of Lent: Luke 9:28b-36

Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

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Reflection:

A young wife decided to finally leave behind her irresponsible and philandering husband. Before leaving him, she wrote a letter which contained all of her angst. At the end of the letter she closed it with this statement: If you want me back you have to change otherwise you will not see me again.

When the wife decided to finally leave behind His philandering and irresponsible husband. That decision was her moment of transfiguration. And her decision also influenced her husband to change and leave behind his philandering and irresponsible ways.  

In the transfiguration of Jesus at the mountain of tabor the three disciples: Peter, James and John saw firsthand how Jesus was transfigured. From a mortal like them Jesus’ face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29).

What was going on before the three apostles went to the mountain to witness Jesus transfiguration? The three were with the Lord doing their mission. They witnessed many miracles being performed by Jesus. Yet, Jesus also told them that He would soon suffer and be put to death by His persecutors (Luke 9:22).

Upon hearing from Jesus that He was going to suffer perhaps the three had a low morale. They can’t believe that this is going to happen to their Lord and master. And with this premise Jesus brought them to the mountain of tabor. For the three of them to know and see His real identity. And for the three of them to know what awaits them if they would be faithful to their mission until the end.

With their witness of Jesus transfiguration, the three apostles were also transfigured albeit in a different manner. Their witness of Jesus transfiguration energized their sagging spirits. It boosted their motivation to continue to move on with their sacred mission of evangelization.

At what stage are you in your life right now? Are you facing your own share of challenges? Don’t give up, remember that this is just temporary. In the end there will be a price that awaits you and that is to be with Jesus in heaven someday.

 Let the transfiguration of Jesus energize you, strengthen you and let it give you hope. So that you too could be motivated by the powerful transfiguration of Jesus as you move forward with your life. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Marso 17, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 9:28b-36

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 9:28b-36

28  Isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Juan at Jaime at umahon sa bundok para manalangin. 29 At ha­bang siya’y nananalangin, nagbago ang anyo ng kanyang mukha at puting-puting nag­ningning ang kanyang damit. 30 May dalawang lalaki ring nakikipag-usap sa kanya, sina Moises at Elias.

31 Napakita sila sa kaluwalhatian at pi­nag-uusapan nila ang paglisan ni Jesus na malapit nang maganap sa Je­ru­salem. 32 Antok na antok naman si Pedro at ang kanyang mga kasama pero pagkagising nila, nakita nila ang kanyang kaluwalhatian at ang dalawang lalaking nakata­yong kasama niya.

33 Nang papalayo na ang mga iyon kay Jesus, sinabi ni Pedro sa kanya: “Guro, mabuti at narito tayo; gagawa kami ng tatlong kubol, isa sa iyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias.” Hindi niya alam ang kanyang sinasabi. 34 Nagsasa­lita pa siya nang may ulap na lumilim sa kanila; at natakot sila pagpasok nila sa ulap. 35 At narinig mula sa ulap ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.”

36 Pagkasalita ng tinig, nag-iisang na­kita si Jesus. Nang mga araw na iyon, sinarili nila ito at walang sinabi kani­nu­man tungkol sa nakita nila.

Reflection for Saturday, March 16; First Week of Lent; Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “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:

What is the supreme act of love? It’s the willingness to die for the one that you love. What is the next supreme act of love? It’s to love even those who are not lovable to your eyes. It’s to continuously keep the flame of love alive for a person who does nothing but hurt you.

But are you capable of following this radical love commandment of Jesus? It’s very hard to love the person who hates you. Take for example a spouse who does nothing but hurt you. How can you love him/her? If you only gaze your sight on this world it’s really difficult to love in such a situation.

But we are not only made for this world, God created us not only for this world alone. He created you to become a permanent dweller of heaven eventually. Therefore, we have to love even those who do not love us. We have to pray as well for those who do nothing but hurt us.

What will happen to your spouse if you continue to love him/her even if he/she doesn’t express his/her love for you? What would happen if you never give up and continue to pray for his/her conversion? He/she will eventually see the light of Jesus and be enlightened by it. For this is the miracle that Jesus gives to those who continue to have faith in Him.

This is what awaits those who never give up on love and the power of prayer. And this is the miracle that Jesus gives for those who never waiver on praying to Him.

Do you easily give up on love?  – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Friday, March 15; First Week of Lent; Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

What is the antidote to sin or what could defeat sin or hatred? Its humility, forgiveness and love. For example, if you sin against your spouse the cure for this sin is to humble yourself before your spouse. You do this by  saying, I’m sorry for hurting you or  I’m sorry for betraying your trust.

If your spouse loves you dearly you can expect forgiveness, the mitigating factor here is  your humility to admit your offense or sin. But not everyone is willing to say, I’m sorry for to admit ones mistake or to say I’m sorry is one  of the hardest words to say. But if there’s humility in us we would not think twice to apologize for this will once again heal the relationship.

But the paradox is, we are quick to sin yet we are not quick to apologize  or some are not even willing to apologize. And this lack of humility on our part creates bigger trouble/s in our married relationship or any other kind of relationship for that matter.

In our gospel Jesus is teaching us about humility and to have the courage to admit our own mistakes or shortcomings (Matthew 5:23-25). Why? Because if we are willing to humble ourselves and if we have the courage to admit our own sinfulness. We therefore save ourselves from further trouble. But if we continue to be dominating and arrogant then trouble/s would always be with us.

Would you be willing to humbly apologize to somebody whom you have offended? To reach out or to apologize is hard to do but it’s also a redemptive experience for it will set you free from the bondage of guilt.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Thursday, March 14; First Week of Lent; Matthew 7:7-12

Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.”

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Reflection:

Do you sometimes feel helpless and burdened by so many problems? All of us go through these life episodes, some of us are able to survive and some are not.

In our gospel for today, Jesus gives us a recipe so that we would be able to survive whatever trials and problems that we will be going through in our lives. Jesus tells us:   “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. These are comforting and healing words for all of us if only we believe and take these words of Jesus into our hearts.

Let us therefore have a permanent daily time with Jesus. Since it’s only through this daily time for Him that we could automatically go to Him to ask for His healing and comfort. The moment we start to incorporate Jesus in our daily lives we then could be assured that we will now be able to survive our problems and worries.

Let us endeavor to get closer to Jesus in everyday of our lives. Let us ask Him for help and for guidance. Let us detach ourselves from our many worldly attachments for the reason that this is what hinders us to get closer to Jesus. And last but certainly not the least, let us all exert an effort to leave behind our relationship with sin. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for Wednesday, March 13; 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:

Do you ask for signs before you decide on something? For example, if you’re a female, would you ask for a sign if the man courting you is the right one for you? And based on that sign you now would decide to say yes or no to that man.

Jesus is much bigger than the signs that we ask for from God. If we have Him in our hearts we need not ask anymore for signs. But do we allow Jesus to have a special place in our hearts? Jesus has a simple request for all of us for Him to dwell in our hearts. The simple request is our repentance from all of our sins. This is His simple request for all of us, so that He could dwell in our hearts.

During the time of Jonah, the people of Nineveh listened to Jonah’s call of repentance. Otherwise there would be destruction upon them. So they listened, they’ve put on sackcloth to show God that they are sorry for the many sins that they’ve committed and they are ready to walk away from it.

Why do we continue to embrace sin when it will not do us any good? Why do we continue to embrace sin when we know for a fact that sin is evil and it eventually will destroy us? It’s very hard to comprehend why many of us continue to sin. We continue to sin because the devil gives us generous incentives to commit it. But as proven time and again, we will be destroyed eventually because we decided to embrace the devil.

If we will love this world more than we love God we certainly will continue to sin. However, God is always there for us no matter how sinful we are, ever ready to embrace us with His infinite love and forgiveness.

Prayer:

I am sinful creature of this world O Lord and I am tired of sinning for it has not brought anything good into my life. I seek your forgiveness O Lord and I seek your love, this I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Tuesday, March 12; 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 others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

How important is prayer to your life? If you have five things to do everyday, is prayer included in that five?

When we pray with all our heart, we allow the good Lord to nourish our parched spirits. Through our prayers we also invite the good Lord to come into our lives. And it’s also through our humble prayers that we slowly but surely develop our intimacy with Jesus.

In our gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray: It’s simple, short and direct and it does not beat around the bush. We must be frank, persevering and honest to Jesus for He knows what we need beforehand. We must also be sincere and always humble in prayer before our God.

For example, do we close our eyes when we pray the Our Father? Does this prayer make us sometimes cry when we pray it? Do we still kneel when we pray this prayer? These are all acts of faith that would help us have a more personal connection with Jesus.  

Jesus is also reminding us to re-examine our life of prayer. For we may be just praying for the sake of praying thus it’s without spirit and fire.

How do you pray the Lord’s prayer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Monday, March 11; First Week of Lent; Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46

(Jesus said to his disciples) "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? And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 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. And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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Reflection:

Do you want to attract God’s blessing upon you? You have to do what Jesus commands you in the gospel. Jesus tells you to give food to the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, give clothes to the naked, take care of the sick and visit the imprisoned.

Jesus is teaching us to discard the me first mindset for so many of us have this me first mindset. What would you feel if you do away with the me first mindset? You would be free from the bondage of greed and selfishness which by the way is an instrument of the devil. 

Life in this world is temporary we therefore have to make worthy decisions and actions that would impact the lives of our fellowmen. Let us never be concerned of our own life and needs for God will take care of it for us.

The gospel tells us that there shall be judgment and separation amongst those who followed and did not follow the will of God. – Marino J. Dasmarinas