Reflection for March 28 Friday of the Third Week of Lent: 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:

Why did Jesus give us these two timeless and greatest commandments about love? Because we need these instructions to heal the world of its many sufferings. For example, if only there were authentic love for God in our hearts, there would be no more suffering. 

But many of us don’t have the love of God in our hearts; that’s why so many are suffering. We love to obey our selfish desires rather than follow what God wants us to do, which is to exercise unconditional love. 

Let us heed God's command: let us love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul. Let us also allow God to use us as His instrument so that those who are distant from His love may feel it through us. And those who do not know God may come to know Him because of our unconditional love for them. 

Little by little, let us conquer the enmity of this world with our love for God and our neighbors. And let us not love only those who love us back or those who seem lovable in our eyes. 

Let us also love even those who have hurt us deeply and those who make life difficult for us, because through our exercise of unconditional love, they may be enlightened by God's love. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 28 Biyernes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 12:28-34

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 12:28-34

Noong panahong iyon, lumapit ang isa sa mga eskriba kay Hesus at tinanong siya, "Alin pong utos ang pinakamahalaga?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ito ang pinakamahalagang utos, 'Pakinggan mo, Israel! Ang Panginoon na ating Diyos -- siya lamang ang Panginoon. 

Ibigin mo ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso, nang buong kaluluwa, nang buong pag-iisip, at nang buong lakas.' Ito naman ang pangalawa, 'Ibigin mo ang iyong kapwa gaya ng iyong sarili.' Wala nang ibang utos na hihigit pa sa mga ito."   "Tama po, Guro!" wika ng eskriba. "Totoo ang sinabi ninyo. 

Iisa ang Diyos at wala nang iba liban sa kanya. At ang umibig sa kanya nang buong puso, buong pag-iisip, at buong lakas, at ang umibig sa kapwa gaya nang kanyang sarili ay higit na mahalaga kaysa magdala ng lahat ng handog na susunugin, at iba pang mga hain."

Nakita ni Jesus na matalino ang kanyang sagot, kaya't sinabi niya, "Malapit ka nang mapabilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos." At wala nang nangahas magtanong kay Jesus mula noon.    

Reflection for March 27 Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 11:14-23

Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed. Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 

But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? 

Therefore, they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.  But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

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Reflection: 

Is the Devil Real? 

The devil is real, and he is a pervasive influence in our society and political system. This is why we frequently hear stories of killings, corruption, arrogance and the abuse of authority by political leaders—not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. 

In the same vein, the devil is an insidious presence within families. This is why there are separations and acts of infidelity within the marriage covenant. Who can defeat the influence of the devil in our society’s political system and our families? It is Jesus and our faithful practice of His teachings. 

Many of us profess to be believers in Jesus, and many of our politicians are graduates of Catholic schools. Yet, there are plunderers and killers in government today. There are also many broken families. Why is this so? It is because many of us are believers in name only. Many attend Holy Mass but do not live out the grace of the Eucharist/Holy Mass. 

If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take root deep within us, our country would be more progressive. If only we would allow our faith in Jesus to take center stage in our families, there would be fewer broken marriages. 

Let us reflect on how many times we have betrayed our faith in Jesus in exchange for the enticing offers of Satan, which will ultimately destroy us. We must, therefore, immediately reject Satan the moment he manifests himself in our lives. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 27 Huwebes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 11:14-23

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:14-23

Noong panahong iyon, pinalayas ni Jesus ang isang demonyong sanhi ng pagkapipi ng isang lalaki, at ito'y nakapagsalita na mula noon. Nanggilalas ang mga tao, ngunit may ilan sa kanila ang nagsabi, "Si Beelzebul na prinsipe ng mga demonyo ang nagbigay sa kanya ng kapangyarihang magpalayas ng mga demonyo." 

May iba namang nais siyang subukin, kaya't nagsabi, "Magpakita ka ng kababalaghang magpapakilala na ang Diyos ang sumasaiyo. Ngunit batid ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip, kaya't sinabi sa kanila, "babagsak ang bawat kahariang nahahati sa magkakalabang pangkat at mawawasak ang mga bahay roon. 

Kung maghimagsik si Satanas laban sa kanyang sarili, paano mananatili ang kanyang kaharian? Sinasabi ninyong nagpapalayas ako ng demonyo sapagkat binigyan ako ni Beelzebul ng kapangyarihang ito. Kung ako'y nagpapalayas ng demonyo sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul, sino naman ang nagbigay ng kapangyarihan sa inyong mga tagasunod na magbigay na makagawa ng gayon? 

Sila na rin ang nagpapatunay na maling-mali kayo. Ngayon, kung ako'y nagpapalayas ng mga demonyo sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng Diyos, nangangahulugang dumating na sa inyo ang paghahari ng Diyos. 

"Kapag ang isang taong malakas at nasasandatahan ay nagbabantay sa kanyang bahay, malayo sa panganib ang kanyang ari-arian. Ngunit kung salakayin siya at talunin ng isang taong higit na malakas, sasamsamin nito ang mga sandatang kanyang inaasahan at ipamamahagi ang ari-ariang inagaw. "Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at nagkakalat ang hindi tumutulong sa aking mag-ipon.

Reflection for March 26 Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: 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:

Do you obey, teach, and live the laws of the Lord? 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about Himself as the fulfillment of the law. In effect, He was telling the disciples, "I am now the fulfillment of those commandments from the Old Testament." 

For example, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai, were summarized by Jesus into the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). 

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments, reducing them to the two greatest commandments of love. Indeed, if we truly love Jesus, there would be no room for hatred, condemnation, self-righteousness, bigotry, or narrow-mindedness. 

What would remain in our hearts is love, for love is the advocacy and language of Jesus. Jesus’ love for us is unlike the love we have—His love is not selective but embraces everyone, no matter who we are. 

This is the kind of love we must emulate: to love everyone, even if they do not love us back, and regardless of the sins they have committed against us. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 26 Miyerkules sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:17-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:17-19

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad, "Huwag ninyong akalaing naparito ako upang pawalang bisa ang Kautusan at ang aral ng mga propeta.

Naparito ako, hindi upang pawalang-bisa kundi para ipaliwanag at ganapin ang mga iyon. Tandaan ninyo ito: magwawakas ang langit at ang lupa, ngunit ang kaliit-liitang bahagi ng Kautusan ay di mawawalan ng bisa hangga't hindi nagaganap ang lahat.

Kaya't sinumang magpawalang-halaga kahit sa kaliit-liitang bahagi nito, at magturo nang gayon sa mga tao, ay ibibilang na pinakamababa sa kaharian ng Diyos. Ngunit ang gumaganap ng Kautusan at nagtuturo na tuparin iyon ay ibibilang na dakila sa kaharian ng Diyos."    

Reflection for Tuesday March 25 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: Luke 1:26-38

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. He went in and said to her, 'Rejoice, you who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you.' 

She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, 'Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God's favor. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. 

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob forever and his reign will have no end. Mary said to the angel, 'But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?' 

The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.' 

Mary said, 'You see before you the Lord's servant, let it happen to me as you have said.' And the angel left her.

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Reflection:

Do you always submit to the wisdom of God? 

Sometimes, there are situations in our lives that disturb our peace—for example, a sudden diagnosis of sickness. This kind of life event will surely trouble us. But in the midst of these life disturbances, let us not forget that the good Lord is always there for us—to heal us and to give us hope. 

When the angel Gabriel appeared and greeted Mary, she was naturally concerned. Perhaps Mary asked herself, Why did this angel appear to me? What would this angel bring me—a trial that is hard for me to bear? 

But the angel told the Blessed Mother that she would bear a son, and His name will be Jesus. The angel additionally assured her that she had nothing to worry about because the Lord would take care of her. Thus, the Blessed Mother humbly accepted her destiny and entrusted herself to God. 

Whatever we are going through right now, or might go through in the future—be it sickness or a severe trial that tests our fidelity to Jesus—let us hold on to our deep faith in Him. For as long as we have faith, there will be hope and deliverance from all of life’s challenges. 

As the Blessed Mother entrusted her fate to the good Lord, we too must learn to submit to God’s will for our lives. Let us never worry, for God is always there for us, and He will never abandon us. — Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Martes Marso 25 Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagpapahayag ng Magandang Balita tungkol sa Panginoon: Lucas 1:26-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 1:26-38

Nang ikaanim na buwan na ng pagdadalantao ni Elisabet, ang anghel Gabriel ay sinugo ng Diyos sa Nazaret, Galilea, sa isang dalaga na ang pangala'y Maria. Siya'y nakatakdang ikasal kay Jose, isang lalaki buhat sa lipi ni Haring David. Paglapit ng anghel sa kinaroroonan ng dalaga, binati niya ito.  

"Matuwa ka! Ikaw ay kalugud-lugod sa Diyos," wika niya. "Sumasaiyo ang Panginoon!" Nagulumihanan si Maria sa gayong pangungusap, at inisip niyang mabuti kung ano ang kahulugan niyon. Kaya't sinabi sa kanya ng anghel, "Huwag kang matakot, Maria, sapagkat kinalulugdan ka ng Diyos. Makinig ka! Ikaw ay maglilihi at manganganak ng isang lalaki, at siya'y tatawagin mong Jesus. 

Magiging dakila siya, at tatawaging Anak ng Kataas-taasan. Ibibigay sa kanya ng Panginoong Diyos ang trono ng kanyang amang si David. Maghahari siya sa angkan ni Jacob magpakailanman, at ang kanyang paghahari ay walang hanggan." "Paanong mangyayari ito, gayong ako'y dalaga?" tanong ni Maria. Sumagot ang anghel, "Bababa sa iyo ang Espiritu Santo, at lililiman ka ng kanyang kapangyarihan ng Kataas-taasan.  

Kaya't banal ang ipanganganak mo at tatawaging Anak ng Diyos. Natatandaan mo ang iyong kamag-anak na si Elisabet? Alam ng lahat na siya'y baog, ngunit naglihi siya sa kabila ng kanyang katandaan. At ngayo'y ikaanim na buwan na ng kanyang pagdadalantao -- sapagkat walang hindi mapangyayari ang Diyos." Sumagot si Maria, "Ako'y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang iyong sinabi." At nilisan siya ng anghel.

Reflection for March 24 Monday of the Third Week of Lent: Luke 4:24-30

Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land.  

It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 

When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away. 

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Reflection: 

Are you sometimes envious of the success of others? 

Perhaps crab mentality was in the minds of Jesus’ townmates, which is why they did not acknowledge Him as their prophet. They were envious of His newfound celebrity status and could not accept that a simple carpenter was performing life-changing preaching, healings, and miracles. 

The reality of our lives is this: we do not control the destiny of others—only God does. God can raise up seemingly ordinary people and give them extraordinary gifts and missions. We must not be envious of those whom God has blessed with these extraordinary gifts; instead, we should be happy for them. 

As a result of their loathsome behavior toward Jesus, He did not perform many miracles in their town. Let us not be like His townmates. Instead, let us embrace Jesus, deeply believe in Him, and follow His teachings, for He alone holds the key to our salvation. —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Marso 24 Lunes sa Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 4:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:24-30

Nang dumating si Hesus sa Nazaret, sinabi niya sa mga nasa sinagoga: “Tandaan ninyo: walang propetang kinikilala sa kanyang sariling bayan. Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: maraming babaing balo sa Israel noong kapanahunan ni Elias nang hindi umulan sa loob ng tatlong tao’t kalahati at magkaroon ng matinding taggutom sa buong lupain. 

Subalit hindi sa kaninuman sa kanila pinapunta si Elias kundi sa isang babaing balo sa Sarepta, sa lupain ng Sidon. Sa dinami-dami ng mga ketongin sa Israel noong kapanahunan ni Eliseo, walang pinagaling isa man sa kanila; si Naaman pang taga-Siria ang pinagaling.”  

Galit na galit ang lahat ng nasa sinagoga nang marinig ito. Nagtindigan sila, at ipinagtabuyan siyang palabas, sa taluktok ng burol na kinatatayuan ng bayan, upang ibulid sa bangin. Ngunit dumaan siya sa kalagitnaan nila at umalis.

Reflection for March 23 Third Sunday of Lent: Luke 13:1-9

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! 

But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” 

And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none.

So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

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Reflection:

The story is told of a corrupt government official who was being urged by his wife to leave behind his life of sin. The corrupt official would always tell his wife to be quiet and enjoy the fruits of his greed, for nobody would know about it. After years of enjoying his dirty wealth, he was eventually caught and imprisoned for the rest of his life. 

What does sin do to us? It gives us nothing but misfortune! But sometimes, the dangerous fruit of sin doesn’t immediately manifest, so we are tempted to enjoy it—until the point of reckoning comes, when both divine and civil punishment are served upon us. 

Sinful ways don’t pay. We may enjoy them for a short or long period of time, but the eventual weight of punishment will be upon us. We must realize that we will not gain anything by immersing ourselves in sin. 

Let us, therefore, examine ourselves regarding the many sins we have committed. If possible, let us write these sins on a white bond paper or a clean sheet of paper. And after we are done writing, let us cross out every single sin that has possessed us for so long, while silently promising God that we will not do it again. 

This will now serve as our initial step toward repentance, renewal, and reconciliation with Jesus and with those whom we’ve hurt. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 23 Ikatlong Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 13:1-9

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 13:1-9

Dumating noon ang ilang mga tao at ibinalita kay Hesus na ipinapatay ni Pilato ang ilang Galileo samantalang ang mga ito’y naghahandog sa Diyos. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Akala ba ninyo, higit na makasalanan ang mga Galileong ito kaysa ibang mga taga-Galilea dahil sa gayun ang sinapit nila? Hindi! Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: kapag hindi ninyo pinagsisihan at tinalikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, mapapahamak din kayong lahat. 

At ang labingwalong namatay nang mabagsakan ng tore sa Siloe – sa akala ba ninyo’y higit silang makasalanan kaysa ibang naninirahan sa Jerusalem? Hindi! Ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo: kapag hindi ninyo pinagsisihan at tinalikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, mapapahamak din kayong lahat.” 

Sinasabi sa kanila ni Hesus ang talinghagang ito: “May isang tao na may puno ng igos sa kanyang ubasan. Minsan, tiningnan niya kung may bunga ito, ngunit wala siyang nakita. Kaya’t sinabi niya sa tagapag-alaga ng ubasan, ‘Tatlong taon na akong pumaparito at naghahanap ng bunga sa punong ito, ngunit wala akong makita. 

Putulin mo na! Nakasisikip lang iyan!’ Ngunit sumagot ang tagapag-alaga, ‘Huwag po muna nating putulin sa taong ito. Huhukayan ko ang palibot at lalagyan ng pataba. Kung mamunga po ito sa darating na taon, mabuti; ngunit kung hindi, putulin na natin!’” 

Reflection for March 22 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:

Would you return and ask for forgiveness from someone you’ve hurt?

After wasting his money on his vices and other sinful cravings, the younger son decided to humbly return to his father. He swallowed his pride and braved the insults and ridicule that might come his way just to be home again with his father, who unconditionally loved him.

There is also a stretch in our lives when we drift away from God and personally take command of our lives. We indulge in different worldly vices and sins, thinking that they will make us happy. Then we realize that there is still this void that has not been filled by our worldly and sinful cravings.

So, where should we go? We humbly go back to Jesus and ask for His mercy and forgiveness. Jesus will surely not refuse a repentant sinner like us. All we have to do is return to Him. Never mind the many sins we have committed, for Jesus doesn’t count them against us.

He is always looking at our humble and repentant hearts. Therefore, we must go back to Him, for Jesus is eagerly waiting to embrace us once again. We should not look back at our dark past anymore—what is important for Jesus is our present and our future. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Reflection for March 21 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:

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

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

So, what is the cure for our greed? The cure is generosity! If we are always generous, we will never run out of things to give. We also free ourselves from the curse of greed, which has already destroyed so many. What is it about material things that makes us so greedy? Can they bring us closer to Jesus? Can we take them to our graves when we die?

If the tenants in our Gospel had generously given the landowner his rightful share, they could have continued their relationship as tenants and landowner. They could have experienced prosperity and peace, and they could have avoided destruction. —Marino J. Dasmarinas