Reflection for February 22 Monday the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle (Feast): 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 have a best friend forever or bff? 

When you are best friend with someone it signifies deeper friendship, it signifies that you spend sizeable time with this person whom you call your best friend. Your friendship with your best friend is much much deeper compared to your ordinary friends and you entrust important things and kept secrets with your best friend than your ordinary friends. 

Saint Peter is the best friend of Jesus because he spent more time with Jesus more than any other apostle in the bible. Although he denied Jesus three times; Peter is still the most trusted apostle of Jesus for the simple reason that Jesus chose to entrust the future of the church to him. 

Do you want Jesus to give to you the gift of faith that others do not have?  The first requirement is you must be best friend with Him.  So start by habitually reading the bible, have time for Holy Mass, be prayerful and live His teachings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for Sunday February 21, First Sunday of Lent: Mark 1:12-15

Gospel: Mark 1:12-15

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. 

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

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Reflection:

Have you been through a desert experience? 

Desert experience are moments of trials and tribulations for all of us. This is something that we go through in our lifetime not only once but many times. More often than not we pass through this desert experience because we create it for ourselves.  For example, the temptation to sin is a desert experience it’s here where our firm resolve to follow God is tested. Some of us are able to conquer this desert experience but some are not able to do so.  

The moment we succumb to these many temptations that satan dangles before us it will spell trouble for us and our family. We may enjoy fleeting happiness and satisfaction but at the end of the day there will be problems. Why? Because we were not able to resist the temptation of satan. 

Jesus had His own desert experience; He was tested by satan in the wilderness. Yet He did not succumb to the temptation of satan to betray God. Because Jesus was very steadfast in His faith and love for God, can this be said of us as well?    

The moment you are able to conquer your own desert experience many good things will come your way. However when you are not able to overcome your own desert experience be sure of troubles to come along your way. Who wants trouble in this era of Covid – 19 no one wants it.    

Let us therefore be committed to God as Jesus was committed to God and to His mission during His own desert experience.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 21, Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 1:12-15

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:12-15

Noong panahong iyon itinulak si Jesus ng Espiritu sa disyerto, 13 at apatnapung araw siyang nanatili sa dis­yerto. Tinukso siya ni Satanas; kasama niya ang mga hayop, at pinaglingkuran siya ng mga ang­hel. 

• 14 Pagkadakip kay Juan, pumunta si Jesus sa Galilea. Doon niya ipina­hayag ang magandang balita ng Diyos sa pagsa­sabing 15 “Sumapit na ang panahon; mag­bagong-buhay at mani­wala sa magandang balita; lumapit na nga ang Kaharian ng Langit.”

Reflection for February 20 Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 5:27-32

Gospel: Luke 5:27-32 

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

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

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Reflection:

There is a story of a sinner who wanted to change his ways. So he gathered enough courage and presented himself to his parents to ask for forgiveness. But the parents did not forgive him they instead condemned him as good for nothing and useless. 

In the days that followed they received a call that their son ended his life. If only they were not judgmental they could have saved a life and became an instrument of conversion. But they choose not to forgive. 

How do you treat sinners? Are you quick to condemn them for who they are? Or you are patient with them and even build bridges with them so that they would also feel the love and forgiveness of Jesus? 

When we judge sinners we also immediately cut off the chance for us to be an instrument of their healing and conversion. We are also pushing them deeper into the mud of sin. But why are we judgmental when we are sinners as well? Why are we judgmental when we are not perfect, when we too are subject to judgment? 

When Jesus saw the tax collector named Levi who was labelled as a sinner by those who knew him. Jesus did not condemn the tax collector He instead asked Levi to follow Him and this sinner left everything to follow the Lord. Here we see the redemptive result when we don’t judge and condemn. 

In the heart of hearts of every sinner rest a sacred place that is reserved for someone who will not judge them. A sacred place exclusively for those who would be willing to forgive them and help them get up and start a new life with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

1Reflection for February 19 Friday after Ash Wednesday: Matthew 9:14-15

Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

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

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Reflection:

Have you tried abstaining from eating food?

The question about fasting is most relevant to all of us during this season of Lent. Because it’s here where the church actively reminds us about it.  And the gospel for today is a reiteration of this reminder.

It may seem that Jesus is defending His disciples for not fasting. But in hindsight, they were actually fasting; not the literal fasting per see to appease the discriminating eyes of John's disciples.  The disciples of Jesus were fasting from self-righteousness, from doing wrong, from judging others as good for nothing.

This is the deeper form of fasting that Jesus wants from us all and this should not be done only during the season of Lent. Are we capable of permanently fasting from our bloated egos, from doing wrong and from unjustly judging others?

These are the deeper form of fasting that Jesus appreciates for what good it is if we fast from food when we don’t change our undesirable attitudes? Say for example we fast yet we continue to be arrogant, to be judgmental, to be unforgiving, to be uncaring and so forth. What then is the use of our fasting? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 18 Thursday after Ash Wednesday: Luke 9:22-25

Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

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

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

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Reflection:

Do you have a cross that you carry right now? We all have our own share of little and big crosses that we carry. .

Jesus gives us a paradoxical statement: "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself (Luke 23:25)?"

On the surface this may seem to be an odd statement. But if we are faithful followers of Jesus these are precious and priceless wisdom filled words from the Lord. The moment we decide to follow the path of Jesus we will deny ourselves with anything that is wordly and we will courageously carry our cross to follow Him.

Amidst the carrying of our daily cross we would also notice that it is not that heavy simply because Jesus is with us. He is helping us carry whatever cross that we have, making sure that the burdens that we carry right now are still light.

When Jesus was carrying the cross towards Golgotha/Calvary His cross became a sign of suffering and intense pain. However the same cross became the sign of Triumph and Salvation. If we carry our cross with Jesus the same cross would also be our means of purification, triumph   and salvation.

Are you carrying a cross right now? Humbly ask Jesus to help you carry that cross.

Prayer:

O Lord we humbly beseech you to help us carry our cross. Sinners as we are yet we still know that you will never refuse to help us, you will never refuse to give us hope amidst our many crosses. Make our daily burdens light O Lord no matter how heavy.  This we humbly ask you. Amen. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for February 17, Ash Wednesday: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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

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

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

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

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Reflection:

How does the season of lent affect you? Does this make you closer to God? There are three keys for you to have a meaningful observance of lent. The first is Almsgiving, the second is Prayer and the third is Fasting. In all of these three Jesus advocates silence and self-introspection. What Jesus advocates is a contradiction to what this world would normally dictate you to do.  

In Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting Jesus advocates doing it in the privacy of your heart. Nobody will know except you and God alone not even your closest relative or friend.  Why? Because it is in silence and secrecy that you would also receive blessings from God (Most especially spiritual blessings).  For example, how could you have peace of mind? It’s through silence. How would you feel the presence of God in your life it’s in silence also.  

God is not a loud God He is a God that loves silence.  He is not like the many artificial Gods of this secular world that thrives in noise and publicity. Come to think of it, is it possible to have communion with Jesus through noise and publicity? Never. We will never have connection with Jesus through noise, publicity and other acts of self-promotion.     

As we begin our forty (40) day’s journey this lent let us look back on the loudness of our life. Let us look at our facebooks and other social media platforms and observe how we loudly promoted our life there. And let us ask ourselves this question: Has this self-promotion and laud lifestyle led me in close communion with Jesus? 

Lent is the time of year that the Good Lord gives us so that we could get closer and intimate with Him. So that we could repent from all of our sins. It is His hope that through lent we could have a close encounter with Him and this we could best do in silence.

As the priest or lay minister sprinkle on top of your head. Close your eyes and silently pray this to the Lord: Cleanse me O Lord a sinner, forgive me of all of my sins and embrace me with your unconditional love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

1Reflection for February 16, Tuesday of the Sixth Week: 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 enticement of this world to take off your focus on Jesus? For example the Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass. Many of us today sometimes do not pay much attention to the highest form of worship inside the church. We sacrifice it for our many worldly undertakings that 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 the leaven as a metaphor that they should not be convinced by the inducement of the Pharisees and Herod to leave him for them.  

Both the Pharisees and Herod represents power, the power of religion and government which for all intents and purposes are worldly and temporary. Jesus was actually telling His disciples not to leave Him for them. In effect Jesus was telling them not to favor the world over their love for God.  

The secular world has many inducements such as: power, money, greed, popularity, lust, ego, self-centeredness etc… We should be careful of these worldly appendages, we should not let ourselves be deceived by these temporal inducements.  

Let us rather continue be steadfast with our love, fellowship and fidelity to Jesus through our words and actions. For what would we gain if we have all the things that this world can offer if we don’t have God? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 15, Monday of the Sixth Week: Mark 8:11-13

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation. Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.

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Reflection:

A man would always be bothered whenever he watches on the internet news about earthquakes, storms and other natural calamities. He would always tell himself. “Is this a sign that the end of this world is near?” Then he would calm down by saying, “I trust the Lord Jesus Christ therefore I am not disturbed nor bothered. 

Why is it that many of us are easily bothered whenever we see disasters and calamities? This is for the simple reason that we lack faith otherwise if we don’t lack faith we would not be easily bothered. Human as we are it’s natural for us to be bothered by these natural calamities. However, we should always quickly assure ourselves that Jesus is in control we therefore have to regain our confidence under this disturbing situation.  

In the gospel for today the Pharisees were asking for a sign from the Lord. Why? Because they were testing Him and aside from that they simply don’t have faith in Jesus.  

How about you? Are you easily disturbed by the many calamities and disasters that are unfolding before your eyes? Are you easily bothered by the many problems that you are facing right now?  

Do not be bothered for Jesus is in control, no sign is stronger than Jesus Himself. He is more than enough to calm you amidst your fears and problems whatever those problems are. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for Sunday February 14, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 1:40-45

Gospel: Mark 1:40-45

A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. 

He said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a wife who prayed to Jesus for healing of her marriage. After a few months the husband who left her and her children suddenly came back asking for forgiveness. The wife forgave him without asking him about the past. She humbly said, “Let us move forward, learn from our mistakes, attend Holy Mass and  thank Jesus for healing our marriage. 

Today is Valentine’s day a day for those who are in love and a day for those who are in a love relationship such as marriage. But not all who are in a married relationship are experiencing bliss. There are many who are going through some humps and bumps in their marriage or love relationship. If you’re one of those who are going through this humps and bumps episode don’t give up because there is hope.  You simply have to ask Jesus to heal your love relationship. Because the Lord will heal it the moment you begin to pray for it.   

How would you react if you are the leper that was healed by Jesus? Should you just keep silent about your miraculous healing or you tell everyone how Jesus healed you? Perhaps you would also spread the good news of your healing from Jesus for this is basic human nature. 

The healed leper disobeyed the command of Jesus not to tell anyone of the miracle that he received from Him (Mark 1:44). Did Jesus get angry with his disobedience? Of course not! For Jesus perfectly understood that his disobedience was for a good reason.

The healed leper wanted everyone to know that Jesus heals! The former leper simply wanted to share the good news of his healing so that others could also receive healing from the Lord. Soon after, the healing that Jesus did for the leper spread like wild fire and as a result of this, people from everywhere went to Jesus.  

Have you received a miracle from Jesus? For example, healing from your sickness, healing of a family relationship or healing from an emotional/spiritual sickness and the like. Don’t keep it within yourself!

Tell everyone about the miracle that Jesus did to you. Humbly tell everyone about the greatest healer who ever walked this earth; no other than Jesus Himself!  So that they too would experience healing from the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Pebrero 14, Ikaanim na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 1:40-45

 

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 1:40-45

40 Lumapit kay Jesus ang isang may  ketong at nakiusap sa kanya: “Kung gusto mo, mapalilinis mo ako.” 41 Nahabag si Jesus sa kanya, iniunat ang kanyang kamay, hinipo siya at sinabi: “Gusto ko, luminis ka!” 42 Nang oras ding iyon, iniwan ang lalaki ng kanyang ketong at luminis siya.

43 Ngunit mahigpit siyang pinagbilinan ni Jesus sa kanyang pag-alis, 44 sinabi niya: “Mag-ingat ka, huwag mo itong sabihin kaninuman, kundi pumunta ka sa pari para masuri ka niya at maialay alang-alang sa pagkalinis sa iyo ang handog na iniutos ni Moises upang magkaroon sila ng patunay.” 

45 Ngunit pagkaalis ng tao, sinimulan niyang ipahayag ito kahit saan at ipamalita ang pangyayaring ito. Dahil dito, hindi na lantarang makapasok sa bayan si Jesus kundi nanatili siya sa labas, sa mga ilang na lugar. Ngunit may dumarating pa rin sa kanya na kung saan-saan galing.

Reflection for February 13 Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:1-10

Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, Jesus summoned the disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.” His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place?”  

Still he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They replied, “Seven.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then, taking the seven loaves he gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the crowd. They also had a few fish. He said the blessing over them and ordered them distributed also. They ate and were satisfied.They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets. There were about four thousand people. He dismissed the crowd and got into the boat with his disciples and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

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Reflection:

What happened to the crowd after they were fed by Jesus? 

Perhaps they went back to their respective environments satisfied and spiritually recharged. Did they lead transformed lives? Did they become fervent and true followers of Jesus? Obviously majority of them did not live transformed lives and they did not become full blooded followers. Otherwise they would have not deserted Jesus when He was being persecuted, tortured and nailed to the cross. 

What happens to us after attending Holy Mass wherein we listen to the words of God and partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus? Do we allow Jesus to transform us every time we listen to His words and every time we receive Him during Holy Communion? His fervent desire is to transform us so that we could become His true followers. This is His desire for us. 

But at the end of the day it’s still in our hands we still have the liberty to decide for ourselves. If we become His true followers or not and if we allow His Body and Blood to transform us or not. The choice is ours to take but the wise choice is to allow Jesus to transform us. 

Look around and see the lives of those who did not allow Jesus to transform them. Look around and see those who followed in words only. They may be materially wealthy, they may be politically powerful. But do they have peace and serenity in their lives? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 12 Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:31-37

Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Again Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. 

He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” — And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. 

He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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Reflection:

How would you react when people praise you for the things that you’ve done and achieved? Do you gloat over it? Does it increase your sense of self-worth? Do you feel proud and feel that you are head over shoulders above others?  These reactions are for those people who have a very high regard of themselves. 

Those who are humble when they are praised for the things that they’ve done and achieved would point to God by saying: Thanks be to God, or Praise God. They would always deflect the credit out of themselves and give the glory to God. 

Let us look at the gospel and see the humble actions of Jesus when He was asked to heal the sick man. Instead of healing the sick man in front of the crowd. He took him away from the crowd then He cured him just the two of them. Afterwards, He told the healed man not to tell anyone. 

We, when we’ve done something worthy we would want the whole world to know about it. This is the reason why many of us always post on facebook and other social media platforms pictures/videos that show that we’re doing or we’ve achieve something so that we would have a positive image. 

But not Jesus, He would always be non-assuming, self-effacing and low profile.  How about you? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for February 11 Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 7:24-30

Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre. He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it, but he could not escape notice. Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 

He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.” Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.” When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

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Reflection:

Does Jesus favor a certain group of people? No, Jesus doesn’t not have a chosen group of people. Jesus came into this world not to save a select group of people but for everyone of us: Sinner, non-sinner and Christians and non-Christians alike. 

In the gospel, a Greek woman, a non-Jew and an outsider went to Jesus to beg for healing for her daughter. What did Jesus do? He tested the faith of the woman and when He saw her great faith Jesus granted her request for healing for her daughter. 

What does this tell us about Jesus? Jesus is for everyone of us regardless who we are and the sins that we have committed. What is important for the Lord is we humbly go to Him and reach out to Him with faith. For if we have faith nothing is impossible for Him, Jesus would grant us what we want from for as long as we have faith. 

Do you want Jesus to do miracles in your life? Humbly beseech Him and don’t be shy. Simply trust Him and simply abandon yourself to Him. In His own perfect time, He will give you your heart’s desire.  Believe and have faith. - Marino J. Dasmarinas