Reflection for June 9 Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:17-19

Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.  

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

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Reflection:

What is life without Jesus? It’s barren, chaotic and without peace. What is life without following the laws of God? It’s the same as well.  Jesus comes into our lives to make it meaningful and productive. Not meaningful and productive in the eyes of this world but meaningful and productive in His eyes.  

When we break the laws of God we also distance ourselves from the love of Jesus. For example if a politician shows in his public image that he is a follower of Jesus. He will not break the law by stealing money from the coffers of the government, etc.  

 He will not break the law of God by siding with those who are espousing anti poor laws such as death penalty. Otherwise he is only using Jesus to serve his own hidden agenda. Same goes for a spouse who professes to follow Jesus. He/she should not break the law by betraying the marriage covenant.  

There’s always a reward that awaits those who follow the laws of God. And there’s always a reward that awaits those who follow Jesus and His commandments. It may not be the reward that we expect it to be but there would certainly be a reward.  

Do you always follow the laws of the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 8 Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:13-16

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a hardworking single mother who was able to brought up her children and sent them to college by herself.  The same single mother was the bond behind a closely knit siblings. 

Every now and then she would also provide help for her poor siblings and being the eldest she would also patiently counsel them and whenever they need help she would always be there to provide without string attached on it. This extra-ordinary woman is the personification of what Jesus had said to His disciple: “You are the salt of the earth and light of the world. 

What does salt gives? It gives flavor to food, it defines its taste, it also acts as preservative to prevent meat from decaying. That’s what the lady in the story did, she put flavor and defined the lives of her children and siblings.  Through her heroic effort she preserved them all from going astray.  

What did Jesus mean when He said to his disciples that they would be the light of the world?  Jesus simply means that they should illuminate the people that they would be serving. Their acts of goodwill must be done with utmost humility and they must serve without expecting anything. 

Therefore the challenge for us is to become salt and light in the lives of the people around us. To our respective families, friends and to those who know us although we may not know them. 

With the love and humility of Jesus deeply rooted in our lives we now become Salt and Light for them. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for June 7 Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who wanted to be happy; he chased the cravings of the world: riches, popularity, power, lust, recognition and other worldly things. He achieved all of those things but in spite of it all he came out empty and broken. He was still yearning for something. 

While in deep thought in their house he chanced upon a dusty Bible he opened it and accidentally read on this Gospel reading (Matthew 5:1-12). He read and re-read the Gospel until it dawned on him that it was the answer to the happiness that he’s been searching for.  

He practiced and lived the beatitudes and he finally experienced the fountain of happiness that he has been longing for so long.  

The Gospel about the Beatitudes is a paradox if we compare it with the standards of this world. For example: how can we be blessed and how can the kingdom of heaven be ours if we are materially and spiritually poor. Isn’t more appropriate to say: Blessed are the rich in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Isn’t  more appropriate to say: Blessed are those who are joyful instead of blessed are those who mourn. 

There’s a contradiction for each Beatitudes based on the standards of this world. But Jesus is challenging us to follow His teachings of the Beatitudes for it is here where we would find true happiness and peace.  

On John 14:27 Jesus tells us: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."  

Would you be willing to embrace Jesus’ teachings of the Beatitudes? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Sunday June 6, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water 

Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there. The disciples then went off, entered the city and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.  

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 

Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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Reflection:    

The story is told about a husband who went to a faraway place to buy medicine that would save his wife’s life. When he was about to return home with the medicine there was no more available vehicle that he could ride for it was already midnight. So he made the decision to sacrifice and walk back home so he could save his wife’s life. He arrived dead tired but through his sacrifice he was able to save his wife’s life. 

Sacrifice is an essential part of life, particularly in married life. There would be times that we would be called to sacrifice so that we could save our spouse life or even the marriage covenant itself. 

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The sacrifice and offering of Jesus Body and Blood through bread and wine at Holy Mass. This sacrifice of the Lord served as the disciples nourishment as they did their mission without anymore the physical presence of the Lord. Through Jesus offering and sacrifice of His Body and Blood the disciples would also learn to sacrifice and offer their very own lives for the advancement of the mission of Jesus.  

Until this very moment we receive the same Body and Blood of Jesus whenever we partake of it during Holy Communion. It serves as our nourishment as we continue to exist in this world. It motivates us to be like Jesus who gave His very life for our sake.  

The breaking and sharing of the Body and Blood of Jesus. Communicates to us that we too must learn to share and sacrifice. To become selfless for the good and welfare of others most especially the poor, unwanted and those who are suffering because of the covid-19 pandemic.  

Have you offered or sacrificed your time, your treasure or even a part of your life to advance the mission of Jesus? – Marino J. Dasmarinas          

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Linggo Hunyo 6 Katawan at Dugo ni Kristo (Dakilang Kapistahan): Marcos 14:12-16, 22-26

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 14:12-16, 22-26

Unang araw ng Pista ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura, araw ng pagpatay sa kordero para sa Paskuwa. Tinanong si Jesus ng kanyang mga alagad, "Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?" Inutusan niya ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad, "Pumunta kayo sa bayan. May masasalubong kayo na isang lalaki na may dalang isang bangang tubig.  

Sundan ninyo siya sa bahay na kanyang napasukan sabihin ninyo sa may-ari, 'Ipinatatanong po ng Guro kung saang silid siya maaaring kumain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa, kasalo ang kanyang mga alagad.' At ituturo niya sa inyo ang isang malaking silid sa itaas na mayroon nang kagamitan. Doon kayo maghanda para sa atin." Nagtungo sa bayan ang mga alagad at natagpuan nga nila roon ang lahat, gaya ng sinabi niya sa kanila. At inihanda nia ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa.  

Samantalang sila'y kumakain, dumampot ng tinapay si Jesus, at matapos magpasalamat sa Diyos ay kanyang pinagpira-piraso at ibinigay sa mga alagad. "Kunin ninyo; ito ang aking katawan," wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang saro, at matapos magpasalamat ay ibinigay sa kanila; at uminom silang lahat. Sinabi niya, "Ito ang aking dugo ng tipan, ang dugong mabubuhos para sa marami. Sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi na ako iinom ng alak na mula sa ubas hanggang sa araw na inumin ko ang bagong alak sa kaharian ng Diyos." Umawit sila ng isang imno, at pagkatapos nagtungo sa Bundok ng mga Olibo.

Reflection for June 5 Saturday Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr: Mark 12:38-44

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

In the course of his teaching Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation." 

He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

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Reflection:

The story is told about a poor woman who saw Jesus. Having nothing she went to Jesus to beg for alms. But to her surprise Jesus asked him this question: What can you give me instead? The poor woman said to Jesus: “I’m poor I have nothing to give you.” But the poor woman lied because she had some penny in her pocket that he could have given to Jesus. 

The poor widow in the gospel is the opposite of the poor woman in our story. For the reason that she gave everything she had she did not lie and she gave from the wellspring of her heart. The rule in giving is always give from the heart the amount or the quantity doesn’t count. What is important is we give from the heart. What is the use of giving if what we give is out of our surplus? 

When we give to God let us give from the wellspring of our hearts no matter how small so long as it is from our hearts. Let us do the same also when we give to our fellowmen especially the poor. Let us not give from our surplus for this act of giving is pleasing to God. And whatever we give will surely come back to us not only a hundredfold but a thousandfold. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

1Reflection for June 4 Friday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:35-37

Gospel: Mark 12:35-37

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, “How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet. David himself calls him ‘lord’ so how is he his son? The great crowd heard this with delight.

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Reflection:

Who is the savior of your life? For many of us our savior is money, there are even those who cannot function properly without money. This is so because they bet their lives already on money. Yet money is not the savior, money may even become our passport to hell. 

The real savior is Jesus Christ He is the one referred to as the son of David. Jesus family line connects backward to King David, through Joseph’s acceptance of his responsibility as the foster father of Jesus and by flesh and blood through the Blessed Mother. 

The word Son of David means savior, this is the reason why many times in the New Testament Jesus was addressed as the Son of David. For example, the woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon (Matthew 15:22), the two blind men (Matthew 20:30). The poor blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47), all of them called Jesus Son of David. They did this for they knew beforehand that Jesus was the promised Messiah or Savior. 

How about us? Do we know something about Jesus? Do we know that Jesus can help us in every aspect of our lives? Do we know that Jesus can also make miracles in our lives? 

 Let us strive to discover and know more about the Lord and. Let us invite Him to come into our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for June 3 Thursday Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs: Mark 12:28-34

Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 

The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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Reflection:

How do we manifest our love for God? 

To love God is to discover more about Him, thus we need to thirst and hunger for Him. We need to always be present at Holy Mass and feel His presence there.  We need to read the bible and be faithful to its teachings. 

If we would read the first four gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we would have a better appreciation of the true to life story of Jesus.  To love God is to live His teachings as well. 

After we have fully expressed our love for God the next commandment will automatically set in (We shall love our neighbor as ourselves). What is this love for our neighbor? Is this a selective kind of love or an encompassing love? 

The love for our neighbor should always be an encompassing love and not a selective love. This means that we have to love our neighbor whoever that neighbor might be and whatever sin/s that neighbor has committed against us. Sometimes this is where we are deficient because we only choose the neighbor that we love. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

1Reflection for June 2 Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 12:18-27

Gospel: Mark 12:18-27

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and put this question to him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants.  

So the second brother married her and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. And the seven left no descendants. Last of all the woman also died. At the resurrection when they arise whose wife will she be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?  

When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are greatly misled.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a sick man who was given by his doctor two months to live. After hearing the pronouncement of his doctor the man kneeled before God and beg Him to indefinitely extend his life. Why are we afraid to die? We are afraid because we have strong attachment to this world and we don’t know also what awaits us after we die.  

When Jesus was asked by the Sadducees whose wife would the woman be in the afterlife. Jesus told them that she will not belong to anyone of them because life in heaven is totally different from our present life.  

There is an afterlife and there is heaven as Jesus tells us in the gospel.  So while we are still alive we must always see to it that we live our lives according to the will of God. Not according to our own sinful will but according to the will of God.  

Why? This is for the reason that we want to go to heaven when our time in this world is over and done with already. Let us not be blinded by the glitters of this world for all that we have here no matter how expensive we will leave behind at some point in our lives.  

Let us look forward to heaven for this is where all of us are destined to be someday. – Marino J. Dasmarinas    

Reflection for June 1 Tuesday Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr: Mark 12:13-17

Gospel: Mark 12:13-17

Some Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.  

Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at. They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this? They replied to him, “Caesar’s. So Jesus said to them “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. They were utterly amazed at him.

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Reflection:

What is your obligation to Jesus? Your obligation is to follow His teachings. And as stated by Jesus in the gospel paying the rightful tax to the government is one of them. We disobey Jesus when we don’t pay the taxes due to the government. 

The question of paying the census tax had a deeper meaning for it was created to trap Jesus. However, Jesus was able to wiggle out of this complicated situation. This is the reason why at the end of the gospel the emissaries of Jesus’ opponents were utterly amazed at Him (Mark 12:17). 

As shown in our gospel, Jesus always makes a way out when there seems to be no way. Thus, He will always make things possible for us as well. Because He is always there to help us solve our problems no matter how complicated it may seem. 

Where are you in your life right now? Are you in a predicament where you think that you’re about to surrender to your problems? Call on Jesus and pray to Him. He is there just a prayer away, ever ready to help you extricate yourself out of your problem. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for May 31 Monday Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Luke 1:39-56

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 

And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."  

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. 

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever."  

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

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Reflection:

Why did Mary remain with her cousin Elizabeth for three months? 

The gospel for today tells us that the blessed Mother stayed with her cousin Elizabeth for three months.  Why three months? Why not one month or two months instead? Three months because the Blessed Mother ensured first that she would be with her cousin Elizabeth until she gives birth to her son John. This is the reason why the Blessed Mother was with her cousin for three months. 

Considering that she was also pregnant during that time Mary could have decided to just stay with her for a month. Then go home so that she could also prepare for the birth of her son Jesus. But she chose to be with Elizabeth until she gave birth. This is how compassionate, loving and selfless with her time is the blessed Mother. 

We live now in a world driven by time, for the majority of us time is gold and surely we want to use majority of our time to earn a living or money.  But the Blessed Mother is telling us to use our time not only to earn a living. 

We also have to use our time or even waste our time to touch lives. To help those who are in need like those affected by this covid-19 pandemic in that process we also silently bring Jesus to them.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Reflection for Sunday May 30, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: Matthew 28:16-20

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

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Reflection:

There’s a story about St. Augustine, while he was walking on the seaside and reflecting on the mystery of the Trinity. He saw a boy who created a big hole in the sand and the boy was continuously filling the big hole with water. St. Augustine asked him, “What are you doing?” The boy said: “I’m going to pour the entire ocean into this hole.” “That is impossible, the whole ocean will not fit in the hole that you have created” said St. Augustine. The boy replied, “And you will not comprehend also the mystery of the  Trinity in your brain.” The boy vanished and St. Augustine saw an angel where the boy was located. 

If we are asked today about the Most Holy Trinity some of us may be able to answer it as the fusion of the three persons into one God.  Some of us may not be able to answer because we don’t have any knowledge about the Holy Trinity. It doesn't  matter anymore if we are able to answer or not on the question about the Trinity. What is important is we believe this seemingly unbelievable doctrine of the church. 

The Trinity represents love and unity it shows us that the impossible will become possible for so long as there is love and unity amongst us. What makes a family happily united? What makes church organization successful? It’s love! Love that forgives, love that is willing to sacrifice, love that is honest and love that is humble. This kind of pure love is the embodiment of the Holy Trinity that is why they’re able to coexist as one God even if they are actually three persons.  

In our gospel we have Jesus commissioning the eleven apostles to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). What compelled them to faithfully follow this command of Jesus even at the cost of their lives? It’s the same Trinitarian love.  

This Trinitarian love is what is presently missing right now: In many families, in many church communities/organizations and in many governments around the world. Why? Because there are many broken families, there are many church organization/communites that can’t agree to move as one. And there are many governments around the world that fails to address the needs of their people.   

Is there a solid manifestation of the Trinitarian love in your family? – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Reflection for May 29 Saturday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 11:27-33

Gospel: Mark 1:27-33

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them? 

Jesus said to them, “I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me. They discussed this among themselves and said “If we say, ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 

But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’? they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know. Then Jesus said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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Reflection:

Is it natural for the chief priest, scribes and elders to question the authority of Jesus? 

It was natural for the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders to question the authority of Jesus for they were not his followers. They know Jesus based only on what they see and hear they have no personal interactions with the Lord. If only they were His followers they would have not questioned His authority. 

This is what normally happens to us when we have no personal friendship with Jesus. When our knowledge about Jesus is based only on what we see and hear. We may question Him also when we pass through some difficulties and trials in our lives. 

We would only understand the authority of Jesus or the role of Jesus in our lives once we start to know Him deeply. Let us not be content with what we see and hear about Jesus. Let us delve deeper by exerting effort to know Him deeply.  Thus, we eliminate doubts about His authority over us and His authority to move in our lives. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for May 28 Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Mark 11:11-26

Gospel: Mark 11:11-26

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple area. He looked around at everything and, since it was already late, went out to Bethany with the Twelve.  

The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again! And his disciples heard it.  

They came to Jerusalem and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. But you have made it a den of thieves.”  

The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeking a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.  

Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.  

 Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

Do you always see Jesus as someone who is always, merciful, gentle and compassionate? Some parts of this gospel somewhat show us the other side of Jesus. A Jesus who gets angry with those who choose not to bear fruit. A Jesus who gets angry with those who do not give the respect and reverence that the temple of God truly deserves.  

Is this anger of Jesus justified? Of course it’s justified! His anger toward the fig tree was not for the fig tree per se. It was for those people who know that they could do something for His mission. But for reasons of selfishness and not daring to go out of their own comfort zones they chose not to do anything.  

Many of us are like them we don’t do something to advance the mission of Jesus in this world. We don’t want to labor for Jesus, we don’t want to sacrifice our time for Jesus. We rather choose to spend time for our own self-interest and gratification.   

Why is it that many of us do not want to labor and sacrifice for Christ? Is it because there’s no money that could motivate us to do it? However, money is just a miniscule part of life, we will not find the true meaning of life with money, with power or anything that emanates from this world.  

We can only find the true essence and meaning of life with Jesus only with Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas