Reflection for Sunday March 15, Third Sunday of Lent: John 4:5-42

Gospel: John 4:5-42

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" —For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, ' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;  where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?"

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."

Jesus said to her, "Go call your husband and come back." The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus answered her, "You are right in saying, 'I do not have a husband.' For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.

What you have said is true." The woman said to him, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything." Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one speaking with you."

At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, "What are you looking for?" or "Why are you talking with her?" The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, "Come see a man who told me everything I have done.

Could he possibly be the Christ?" They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Could someone have brought him something to eat?"

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'In four months the harvest will be here'? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work."

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me everything I have done." When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

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Reflection:

What do you see in the encounter of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well? Do you see the desire of Jesus to evangelize the Samaritan woman? Yes, Jesus obviously desired for the conversion of the woman to become His follower. But Jesus did not do His evangelization the conventional way.

Jesus evangelized the Samaritan woman using the water at Jacob’s well as His vehicle for her to be evangelized.  Jesus asked the woman to give Him a drink (John 4:7) and after that their conversation went on until the Samaritan woman was convinced by Jesus to believe in Him.

Evangelization the Jesus way is very different from our way of evangelization. He evangelizes using some characters, in this gospel episode the characters of well, water and His desire to drink the water from that well.

From thereon, Jesus opened another conversation until it delved to the personal background of the woman. Jesus did His evangelization with gentleness, diplomacy and humility. And the result was, He eventually converted the woman to become a believer and follower. After which the town mates of the woman became also Jesus followers courtesy of the personal witness of the woman herself.

We therefore have to follow the out of the box method of evangelization of Jesus using gentleness, diplomacy and humility. Let us not like be the others who evangelize by means of memorized yet selective bible passages. Bible passages that serves their own ends to denounce other Christian religions.

How do you evangelize? -  Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 15, Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Juan 4:5-42

Mabuting Balita: Juan 4:5-42

5 Dumating si Jesus sa isang bayan ng Samaria na tinatawag na Sikar na malapit sa bukid na ibi­nigay ni Jacob kay Jose na kanyang anak. 6 Naroon ang bukal ni Jacob. Dala ng pagod sa paglalakbay, basta na lamang naupo si Jesus sa may bukal. Magtatangha­ling-tapat ang oras noon. 7 May dumating na babaeng taga-Samaria para sumalok ng tubig at sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Painu­min mo ako.” 8 Pu­munta na noon sa bayan ang kanyang mga alagad para bumili ng pagkain.

9 Sumagot naman sa kanya ang ba­baeng Samaritana: “Judio ka, paano mo mahi­hi­ngi sa akin, na babaeng Samari­tana, na painumin kita?” (Sapag­kat hindi nakiki­sa­lamuha ang mga Judio sa mga Samari­tano.) 10 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Kung alam mo ang Ka­loob ng Diyos at kung sino ang nagsasabi sa iyong ‘Painu­min mo ako!’ hiningan mo sana siya at bibigyan ka sana niya ng tubig na buhay.”

11 Sinabi sa kanya ng babae: “Wala po kayong panalok at malalim ang balon. Saan po galing ang inyong tubig na buhay? 12 Mas may kakahayahan po ba kayo kaysa aming amang si Jacob? Siya mismo ang nagbigay sa amin ng balon at dito siya umi­nom pati na ang kanyang mga anak at mga kawan.”

13 Sumagot si Jesus sa kanya: “Mau­uhaw uli ang sinumang umiinom sa tubig na ito. 14 Ngunit hinding-hindi mau­uhaw magpa­ka­i­lan­man ang umiinom sa tubig na ibibi­gay ko sa kanya. Magiging isa ngang bukal sa kanya ang tubig na ibi­bigay ko, na bubukal tungo sa buhay na magpa­kailanman.” 15 Sinabi sa kanya ng babae: “Ibigay po ninyo sa akin ang tubig na ito nang hindi na ako mauhaw ni mag­paroo’t parito pa para sumalok dito.” 16 Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya: “Hala, tawagin mo ang iyong asawa at puma­rito.”

17 Sumagot ang babae: “Wala akong asawa.” Si­nabi naman sa kanya ni Jesus: “Mahusay ang sabi mong wala kang asawa, 18 sapagkat nagkaroon ka ng limang lalaki, at hindi mo asawa ang lalaki mo ngayon. Totoo nga ang sinabi mo.” 19 Sinabi sa kanya ng babae: “Sa pansin ko’y isa kayong propeta. 20 Sa bundok na ito sumamba ang aming mga ninuno. Ngunit sinasabi ninyong mga Judio na ang Jerusalem ang lugar na dapat sambahan.”

21 Sagot sa kanya ni Jesus: “Mani­wala ka sa akin, babae, na dumarating ang oras na sasamba kayo sa Ama at hindi na sasabihing sa bundok na ito ni sa Jerusalem. 22 Sumasamba kayo nang walang alam; sumasamba naman kami nang may alam, dahil sa mga Judio galing ang kaligtasan. 23 Ngunit dumarating ang oras at narito na nga, na sa espi­ritu at kato­tohanan sasamba sa Ama ang mga totoong sumasamba. Ganito nga ang hangad ng Ama sa mga sumasamba sa kanya.

24 Espiritu ang Diyos, at sa espiritu at katotohanan dapat sumamba ang mga suma­samba sa kanya. 25 Sinabi sa kanya ng babae: “Alam kong dumarating ang Mesiyas, ang tinatawag na Pinahiran. At pag­dating niya, ihahayag niya sa amin ang tanang mga bagay.” 26 Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Ako siya na siyang na­ngu­­ngu­sap sa iyo.”

27 Sa sandaling ito, dumating ang kan­yang mga alagad, at nagtaka sila’t nakikipag-usap siya sa isang ba­bae. Ga­yun­ma’y walang nagtanong: “Ano’ng hina­­hanap mo? o: Ba’t ka nakikipag-usap sa kanya?” 28 Iniwan ng babae ang kan­yang tapayan at patakbong bumalik paba­yan, at ipinagsabi niya sa mga tao: 29 "Halikayo para makita ang isang taong nag­sabi sa akin ng lahat kong ginawa. Hindi kaya ito ang Mesiyas?” 30 Kaya lu­mabas sila ng bayan at pumunta sila sa kanya.

31 Samantala, pinakiusapan siya ng mga alagad: “Rabbi (o Guro), kumain ka na.” 32 Sumagot naman si Jesus: “May makakain ako, pagkain itong hindi ninyo alam.” 33 Kaya nag-usap-usap ang mga alagad: “May nagdala kaya sa kanya ng makakain.” 34 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus: “Pagkain ko’y isa­gawa ang kalooban ng nagpadala sa akin at ganapin ang kan­yang gawa. 35 Di ba’t sinasabi n’yong ‘Apat na buwan na lang at anihan na? Pero sinasabi ko sa inyo: tumunghay kayo at masdan, na­mu­muti na ang mga bukirin para anihin.

36 Tumatanggap na ng upa ang mga taga-ani at nagtitipon ng bunga para sa buhay na magpakailanman. At mag­kasamang maga­galak ang tagahasik at ang taga-ani. 37 Totoo nga ang kasabi­hang iba ang naghahasik at iba ang nag-aani. 38 Isinugo ko kayo para mag-ani sa hindi nin­yo pinagpaguran. Iba ang nag­pagod at kayo ang sumalo sa kanilang pagod.”

39 Mula sa bayang iyon, marami ang nagsimulang manalig sa kanya sa mga Samaritano dahil sa salita ng babaeng nagpatunay: Sinabi niya sa akin ang lahat kong ginawa.” 40 Kaya pagdating sa kanya ng mga Samaritano, pina­kiusapan nila siyang sa kanila lumagi. At lumagi siya roon nang dalawang araw. 41 At mas ma­rami pa ang mga naniwala dahil sa kanyang salita. 42 At sinabi nila sa babae: “Hindi na dahil sa ‘yong pangungusap kaya kami nanalig dahil kami na mismo ang nakarinig, at kinikilala namin na totoo ngang siya ang Tagapagligtas ng mundo.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 14, Saturday of the 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 kind of God is Jesus? He is a God of encompassing love, mercy and forgiveness, what does this mean? This simply means that nobody is beyond reach of the love of God. No matter how sinful we are and no matter how grave the sins that we have committed we are still loved dearly by our God.

But there’s one quality that we must have to experience God’s love mercy and forgiveness. And this is repentance, we have to realize first our own sinfulness and have the desire to walk away from our sinfulness and be one again with God.

After wasting his inheritance to debauchery and sinfulness the younger son in our gospel parable had a humbling experience. He had nowhere to go, he lived a life of a beggar so to speak.

 So different from his life of comfort when he was still with his father.  He therefore said to himself, why not go back home and ask for forgiveness from my father? So he did, and to make a long story short his father forgave him.    

Let us think and reflect about our own sinfulness and the many offenses that we’ve done that created distance between us and Jesus. Let us heal that distance by humbly asking for His forgiveness. This we can do best if we would humbly submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession.

Would you submit yourself to the Sacrament of Confession? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 13, Friday of the 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:

One of the gifts that Jesus gave us is our Catholic faith, Jesus gave this to us through our baptism. Does this gift of faith end with our baptism? No, Jesus is also expecting us to share this gift of our baptism by living and sharing our faith. 

We read in our gospel this Friday that there was a landowner who leased his vineyard to some tenants. After a period of time the landowner was now demanding his share of their produce. But they did not give him his share, the tenants were ruled by greed that they kept to themselves the fruits of the vineyard.

The same is true with the gift of faith that Jesus gave us, Jesus expects us to share the fruits of our faith. Let us not be content with status quo or inaction let us move and do something so that we could share our faith for this is what Jesus demands from us.

For example, why don’t we share our faith with the members of our family by inviting them to go to Holy Mass? Why don’t we share our catholic faith with them by having a regular time for family reflection about the words of Jesus in the bible?  Or perhaps by praying the Holy Rosary which can certainly strengthen the unity of the family.

What have we done so far with this gift of faith that Jesus gave us through the Sacrament of Baptism? Have we shared it already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for March 12, Thursday of the 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:

Imagine that you are the rich man in the gospel and you also saw the poor man Lazarus at your door. How would you react? Will you do the same as the rich man did in the gospel? Or you will give food to the poor man Lazarus?

You would surely answer that you will give food because this is the right action to do. And your decision to give food would also be influenced by the misfortune of the rich man after he died for he ended in hell.

But is this who we really are? Do we really help the poor most especially when nobody is watching us? Often times we do good because we are influenced by the circumstances that surrounds us. For example, in the gospel we read the rich man ended up in hell. Of course this is the circumstance that will influence us to do good for we don’t want to be in hell after we die.

The gospel is an invitation for all of us to reflect on how we take care of the poor most especially when no one is watching us. For example, we may have a poor relative or a poor neighbor. How do we treat them when no one is watching us? Do we treat them like a third class citizen or we still treat them with respect and love? – Marino J. Dasmarinas      

Reflection for March 11, Wednesday of the 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:

Why do we desire to follow the Lord?

If we want to follow we should prepare for the many sacrifices that we have to go through for the greater glory of God. Many of us are averse to sufferings and sacrifices we want a life of ease and comfort. But life of ease and comfort are not the way of life of Jesus for His way of life is laden with trials, humility and sacrifice.  

Using their mother as their emissary the two disciples were aspiring to be great in the eyes of the world yet they were followers of Jesus. Were they really followers or just pretending to be followers? If they were true followers they would have not asked for the best seats beside Jesus.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that the essence of following Jesus is to serve with humility. It’s not to serve for us to be noticed, admired and respected for these are all ego-tripping and self-advertisement.

The true follower is not hungry for power, prestige and entitlement. He is content to humbly serve even if nobody would notice him. The more that he is not noticed for what he does for the Lord the more that he would favor it.

This is the paradox of true discipleship, it contradicts our way of self-centered thinking. It rather directs us to the real essence of discipleship which involves humility and sacrifice. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Marso 11, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 20:17-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:17-28

17 Nang umakyat si Jesus sa Jerusalem, isinama niya ang Labindalawa, at habang nasa daan ay sinabi niya sa kanila: 18 “Papunta na tayo sa Jerusalem. Doon ibibigay ang Anak ng Tao sa mga punong-pari at mga guro ng Batas na maghahatol sa kanya ng kama­tayan. 19 Kaya ibibigay nila siya sa mga pagano para pagtawanan, hagupitin at ipako sa krus. Ngunit babangon siya sa ikatlong araw.”

• 20 Lumapit noon kay Jesus ang ina nina Jaime at Juan kasama ng dalawa niyang anak, at lumuhod sa harap niya para makiusap. 21 Tinanong siya ni Jesus: “Ano ang ibig mo?” At sumagot siya: “Narito ang dalawa kong anak. Iutos mong maupo ang isa sa iyong kanan at ang isa naman sa iyong kaliwa sa iyong Kaharian.”

22 Sinabi ni Jesus sa magkapatid: “Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi. Ma­iinom ba ninyo ang kalis na iinumin ko?” Sumagot sila: “Kaya namin.” 23 Suma­got si Jesus: “Totoong iinom din kayo sa aking kalis, ngunit wala sa akin ang pag­papaupo sa aking kanan o kaliwa. Para sa mga hinirang ng Ama ang mga lugar na iyon.”

24 Nang marinig ito ng sampu, nagalit sila sa magka­patid. 25 Kaya tinawag sila ni Jesus at sinabi: “Alam ninyo na sinusupil ng mga naghahari ang kani­lang mga bansa at inaapi ng mga nasa kapang­yarihan. 26 Hindi naman ganito sa inyo: ang may gus­tong maging dakila, siya ang maging lingkod ninyo; 27 ang may gustong mauna sa inyo, siya ang maging alipin ninyo. 28 Gayun­din naman, duma­ting ang Anak ng Tao hindi para pag­ling­kuran kundi para mag­lingkod at ibigay ang kanyang buhay bilang pantubos sa marami.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 10, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Do you live what you preach? 

Walk your talk is a language of management, what does this mean? It simply signifies to do what you say and lead by example. For instance if the leader tells those under him to do this and that, the leader must ensure that he does it first thus he leads the way for his people.

Many of the Pharisees and the scribes during the time of Jesus were leaders of their communities. And as such they give orders to their people to do this and that, then it ends with giving orders. There was no leadership by example from them, they gave orders and they just stay in their ivory towers observing their subjects.   

Effective leadership for Jesus is leadership by example. These are leaders who walk their talk. For instance in a family setting if the parents would say to their children, do this and that and observe this discipline and that. To facilitate thorough accomplishment of their orders the parents should lead by example. Thus, they earn the respect of their children.

Isn’t this advice of Jesus also very useful to our personal lives? If we want our orders to be accomplished and if we want to gain the respect of our people we must then be ready to lead by example. And this is by the way how Jesus lived His life and His leadership.

How are you as an individual or perhaps as a leader? Are you the type who’s just content of giving orders or you lead by example? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for March 9, Monday of the 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 the mother of mercy? Its love, you can’t be merciful if you do not know how to love. The moment you feel mercy in your heart you already have love that you can freely dispense anytime to any person or group of persons.

What kind of love is this that gives birth to mercy? Obviously this is not only romantic love for romantic love is a limited kind of love. The kind of love that gives birth to mercy is the perfect kind of love or the highest form of love.

Who gives us this highest form of love? Jesus Himself gives us this kind of love. We receive this from Jesus when we are always in close contact with Him. By way of our faithful presence at Holy Mass, through our frequent interaction with Jesus by means of the Sacraments of the Church. And by readings His life transforming and life giving words in the bible.

Come to think of it, what happens to us if we are not merciful, if we are quick to condemn and if we don’t forgive? We allow ourselves to be imprisoned by toxic emotion/s that is brought to our feet by the devil.

When we are always in close contact with Jesus we are always merciful. We will never condemn or judge anyone. And we will always forgive no matter how deep the hurt that has been inflicted upon us. 

Find it in your heart to follow and seek Jesus and be free from any form of hatred in your heart. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday March 8, Second Sunday of Lent: Matthew 17:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid." And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, "Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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Reflection:

Has there been a time in your life wherein you feel giving up already because of the hardship that you’ve been going through? What did you do? Did you ask Jesus to help you face you trials? Did you ask Jesus to help you carry your burdens? And did you ask Jesus to strengthen your sagging morale?

One of the many reasons why Jesus brought Peter, James and John to the mountain of Transfiguration was to strengthen them. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter, James and John would be facing gargantuan challenges in their mission for Him. That’s why Jesus saw it fit to bring them first to the mountain of transfiguration to assure them that heaven exist and it’s for them to own someday if they would be faithful to their mission.

Isn’t this our life with Jesus? Life full of challenges and often times trials as well? However, let us not be daunted by these difficulties let us face it with faith for Jesus is with us. He will never abandon us, He will be with us every step of the way as we face our many life’s challenges.

The event of transfiguration shows us that heavenly glory awaits us all. If only we would be faithful to our Baptismal mission which is to help Jesus in His mission of evangelization. But the sad reality is many are not doing it and many are not even aware that they have a mission to fulfill to propagate the faith.

  

We who know about this must never lose heart in doing our mission for Jesus and for the church. Yes, there would be obstacles and challenges along the way. But that is nothing compared to what awaits us after our journey in this world is over.

Jesus is assuring us that there is heaven and that is where we would be someday.  We therefore have to share and live the teachings of our Lord no matter what it might cost us. Because the cost is nothing compared to the reward in heaven someday.

Have you done something to share in the mission of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Marso 8, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 17:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 17:1-9

1 Isinama ni Jesus sina Pedro, Jaime at ang kapatid nitong si Juan, at umakyat na sila lamang ang kasama sa isang mataas na bundok. 2 Nagbago ang anyo ni Jesus sa harap nila: nag­ning­ning gaya ng araw ang kanyang mukha at kuminang na puting-puti ang kanyang damit gaya ng liwanag. 3 At napa­kita sa kanila sina Moises at Elias na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus.

4 Kaya nagsalita si Pedro at sinabi niya: “Panginoon, mabuti at narito tayo. Kung gusto mo, gagawa ako ng tatlong kubol: isa para sa iyo, isa para kay Moises, at isa para kay Elias.” 5 Nagsasalita pa si Pedro nang takpan sila ng isang makinang na ulap. At mula sa ulap ay narinig ang salitang ito: “Ito ang aking Anak, ang Mina­mahal, ang aking Hinirang; pakinggan ninyo siya.”

6 Nang marinig iyon ng mga alagad, napasubsob sila sa lupa, na takot na takot. 7 Ngunit nilapitan sila ni Jesus at hinipo, at sinabi: “Tumayo kayo, huwag matakot.” 8 At pagtingala nila, wala silang nakita liban kay Jesus. 9 At sa pagbaba nila mula sa bundok, inutusan sila ni Jesus na huwag sabihin kani­numan ang pangitain hanggang ma­ibangon ang Anak ng Tao mula sa mga patay.”

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Panginoon.

Reflection for March 7, Saturday of the 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:

It’s very easy to love those who love us back but can we still love those whose love for us is declining?

During the infancy of marriage both spouses love each other deeply. But after a couple of years cracks would surely show up to test the strength of the marriage bond. For example, the spouse will not be affectionate anymore he/she would not be as what he/she used to be during the early part of their marriage.

Would you easily give up on your spouse whose love for you is waning? Of course not! You should rather continue on loving your spouse no matter his/her coldness toward you. You should never give up and try to understand his/her imperfections and shortcomings for the simple reason that you also have your own imperfections and shortcomings as well.

Jesus’ love for us is not a selective love, its a love that is not based on the love that we give to Him. He loves us dearly in spite of our many imperfections and shortcomings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 6, Friday of the 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:

A young man who was working as a houseboy was always being insulted by the family that he worked for. Name all the insulting words around and chances are that it could have been already hurled against him. Eventually the young man reached the limit of his patience so instead of doing something criminal to the family. He just walked away from them emotionally hurting and wounded.  

In the gospel Jesus reminds us to be careful with the words that we say for it can create a permanent wound in the emotions of our fellowmen. If the words that we will say are insulting it’s better not to say it. It’s better to simply shut our mouths, be quite and let the anger be cured by time.

Insulting words deeply hurts the receiver and it carves a permanent emotional wound in his being. But why do we say words that are not fit to be said? Why are we very quick to insult and belittle? This is primarily brought about by our arrogance, bloated egos and the feeling of superiority.

What is the cure for this unhealthy behavior? The cure is Jesus, if we will follow Jesus and if we will allow Him to change us. He will cleanse us of our arrogance, egotism and feeling of superiority. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for March 5, Thursday of the 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:

What do you do when your child ask something from you? You try your very best to give what he/she is asking from you. Why? Because you love your child and you don’t want to disappoint him/her. What if your parents will ask something from you? For the same reason you will also try your very best to give what your parents are asking from you.

The love of Jesus is far greater than the love of a parent to his/her child or a child’s love for his/her parents. What does this mean? If we will do everything to grant the request of our loved ones, Jesus will surely grant also whatever we sincerely ask from Him.

Our sincerity counts when we ask something from Jesus. For example when 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 (Matthew 7:7). It goes without saying that Jesus expects utmost sincerity from them.

This is also what Jesus expects from us when we ask Him for something. The pureness of our desire is a major factor for Jesus to grant us what we want from Him. If Jesus sees that there’s no purity and sincerity in our prayers or if our prayers are centered  to serve our selfish ends. Then we can be assured that nothing will come out from it for we do it for our own selfish objectives.

In hindsight, this is also an invitation for us to reflect on our prayers for Jesus. He may not have yet granted some of our prayers, perhaps we need to re-assess our objectives. Perhaps we need to be more sincere and selfless in our prayers.

Are you always sincere and selfless when you pray to the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas