Reflection on the Seven Last words of Jesus

 

1. “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) 

Are you forgiving? 

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Forgiveness simply means that we choose to move on and not allow hatred to destroy us. 

Hanging on the cross and near death Jesus spoke these profound words. Who was Jesus alluding  to when He spoke these words? Jesus was alluding to those who persecuted Him which led Him on the cross. They were His critics like the Pharisees, Scribes, High priest and the like. Included also were the Soldiers who brought Him to the mountain of Calvary to crucify Him. 

Here we see that Jesus is full of mercy, love and forgiveness towards those who made life very difficult for Him. Jesus did not bear any hatred towards those who hated and killed Him. 

We have to reflect here on how we forgive those who sinned against us. For example, if a person betrayed our trust or a person hurts us. Have we forgiven them already? We have to forgive no matter how deep the hurt they’ve inflicted upon us. Why? Because if Jesus can forgive who are we not to forgive? 

Forgiveness is a gift that we give not to those who’ve hurt us or betrayed us. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves for the simple reason that we are only hurting our very selves when we don’t forgive. We have to free ourselves from being imprisoned by hatred caused by our unforgiveness. Therefore, we have to forgive. 

Are you forgiving? 

2.   “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) 

Where is the paradise that Jesus is referring? 

The paradise is with Him, in Him and in His kingdom in heaven. Jesus addressed this statement to one of the criminals hanging on the cross by His side. The criminal said to Jesus: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).” And right there Jesus said to the criminal: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43).” 

The criminal was enlightened while he was hanging on the cross side by side with Jesus.  This is the reason why he asked the Lord to remember him when He is already in His kingdom. Don’t we all want to have the same enlightenment that he had? Of course, we want it as well. So, we have to humbly ask the Lord for the same enlightenment coursed through our prayers to the Lord. Many of us are so fixated in this fleeting word that we think and feel that this is our paradise. 

But as we see the destructive result of Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine as we see the war between Israel and the USA against Iran we discover that this world is not at all paradise. We seek worldly pleasures (many of these worldly pleasures influence us to sin). We seek temporal wealth and worldly power and influence only to find out that this is not where paradise is located. Why?  For the simple reason that we humans have no satisfaction we will seek these earthly things which we think would satisfy us. Only to realize in the end that it cannot and will not satisfy us. 

So, where is the real paradise that the Lord is talking? This paradise we can only find, feel and experience with Him, in Him and through Him. The true and real paradise that Jesus mentions is already here and now when we make Jesus part and parcel of our daily living.  

Where is your paradise? 

 

3.  “Woman, behold thy son. After that, he said to the disciple: Behold thy mother.” (John 19: 26-27) 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  

When Jesus was on the cross dying, He saw His mother Mary still looking after Him. His mother, who cared, nurtured and watched over Him from the beginning until the end of His life. Dying and all, Jesus saw that nobody would take care of His mother so He asked John, His beloved disciple to take care of her. 

Do we also take care of the Blessed Mother by respecting her as Jesus respected her? Mary is the mother of Jesus therefore it is incumbent for us to give her the respect and love which she richly deserves.  We live our love and respect for the Blessed Mother when we pray the Holy Rosary. When we politely teach others to respect her because she is the mother of Jesus and our mother as well. Mary our mother who will always be there to listen to us when no one would dare listen to us.  Mary our mother who will always be there to pray for us. 

This is also to remind us that we have to respect and love at all times our own respective mothers. We would never exist in this world without our mothers. We would never become who we are today without their guidance and nurturing. Jesus would not have existed in this world without the consent of his mother Mary. As a debt of gratitude to his mother Jesus saw it fit to entrust his mother to his beloved disciple John. 

Do you respect and love the Blessed Mother and your own mother?  What are you doing right now to show your respect and love for the Blessed Mother? Do you invoke her intersession when you pray? Do you defend her when someone is demeaning her role in the life of Jesus?

 

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) 

Do you sometimes feel forsaken by the Lord? 

On the cross and dying Jesus uttered these words. These are words of surrender, frustration and giving up. After going through all of the persecutions, torture and abandonment Jesus felt forsaken. Who among us would not feel the same way when we’ve been through what Jesus had been through? We would also understandably feel forsaken and abandoned by the Lord.    

But did God abandon Jesus when He was gasping and dying on the cross? Does God abandon and forsake us when we are at the lowest point of our life? Is God absent as we navigate through the dangerous waters of  the challenges and trials in our lives? God did not abandon Jesus, God was with Jesus all the way! God was strengthening Jesus when Jesus was at the lowest and weakest point in His life. And certainly God is also walking with us as we try to survive the trials and challenges in our lives. 

We are humans subject to our own human frailties. It is understandable to feel forsaken by the Lord once in a while. But truth be told, God’s presence in our lives is strongest when we feel forsaken by this world and the people of this world. God will never forsake us, God will never abandon us and God will always be there to strengthen us. Therefore, we always have to cling to Him in good times and most especially in the turbulent episodes of our lives. 

Do you sometimes feel abandoned and forsaken by the Lord?

 

5.“I thirst.” (John 19:28) 

What do we thirst for? 

Was it physical thirst that Jesus was feeling when He said: “I thirst.” In His humanity, yes physical thirst but more than that it was the thirst for those people who were formerly with Him. These are the people who were with Jesus during His healing and speaking ministry. 

Dying on the cross perhaps, Jesus was whimpering while saying, “I thirst.” Why? For the reason that He was also thirsting for His followers and apostles who were with Him during His miraculous healing and powerful speaking ministry. 

It is in the lowest episodes of our lives that we would know who is really for us and not for us. Those who are truly for us would choose to remain no matter the odds against us. Those who are not for us would immediately evaporate from our sights to save their necks. 

When we encounter these words: ‘I thirst.’  Let us imagine that Jesus is addressing these words to us. I thirst for you to be faithful in your marriage covenant. I thirst for you to be honest where you are presently working right now. I Thirst for you to value the sacredness of life over the evils of abortion and extra-judicial killing. I thirst for you to always be humble and simple. 

 I thirst for your presence at Holy Mass everyday or even every Sunday if you cannot make it every day.  I thirst for you to become a good father/mother. I thirst for you to become a good and God loving son/daughter. I thirst for you to be faithful to your priesthood. I thirst for you to be faithful to your religious life. I thirst for you to help those who are hungry.   

Would you respond to Jesus thirst? 

 6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) 

How do you feel after finishing a worthy undertaking? 

You feel good and triumphant. This second to the last word of Jesus is a word of triumph, at last it’s over at last it’s mission accomplished! 

Jesus finally defeated the voice of Satan who was whispering to Him not to finish His salvific mission. Jesus overcame the many hurdles and temptation for Him not to pursue to the end His mission of salvation. Finally, Jesus redeemed the sinful humanity from the enslavement of sin. 

However, it’s not finished for us yet, we are still in this journey called life. We are still battling the many demons that constantly whispers to our ears to commit sin. So, what are we going to do to be able to say that, “It's finally finished!” 

We have to be faithful to our Lord until our end in this temporal world overtakes us. Then, when it comes, we can finally say, it is finished because we have been faithful to the Lord. We did not give an iota of space for Satan to distract us in our disciples with the Lord. 

Would we be able to successfully say, ‘It is finished’ when the sun sets upon us someday? It is finished because we have defeated the many demons that were constantly tempting us to give up in our disciples for Jesus. 

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)    

Are you afraid to die? 

After all has been said and done it’s now the end- it’s the victorious death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus conquered our sinfulness by dying on the cross. By giving His very life on the cross Jesus showed us the true meaning of sacrifice and love. 

Death is something that many of us fear but why fear death if we live our life with Jesus in this world? Why fear death when this is the final hurdle for us to be with the Lord in heaven? Why fear death when it ends all our sufferings in this world? If we have not done wrong in this world we would not fear death. When we love the Lord over this fleeting and temporal world we would not fear death. 

Many of us fear death for the simple reason that we are so attached to this world. But if we are detached from this world and attached to our Lord, we would not fear death. What are the attachments that we have that makes us fear death?  Are we so attached to our worldly possession/wealth that’s why we fear death? Life is dynamic never static we never know what would happen in the next seconds, minutes, hours and days. 

When we make this world our God we would fear death, when we make our worldly possession our master instead of servant we would fear death. Jesus conquered His fear of death because He has no worldly attachments. From the beginning Jesus detached Himself from this world because it would encumber Him from devoting His life to His mission of salvation.  

Let us slowly but surely detach ourselves from this world. So that when we are at the doorway going to the everlasting life we can say to our Lord: "I'm finally coming home my Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit." -  Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Holy Thursday April 2 The Mass of the Lord’s Supper: John 13:1-15

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.  

He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Master, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."  

Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well." Jesus said to him, "Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all." For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, "Not all of you are clean."  

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, "Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me 'teacher' and 'master,' and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

What would we do if we knew that we were about to have the last supper of our lives? Perhaps we would turn inward and think of ourselves. Maybe we would withdraw from others and pray with deep intensity before our God.

Yet Jesus, fully aware that His hour had come, chose a different path. During His Last Supper, He did not seek comfort for Himself. Instead, He knelt down and washed the feet of His apostles—an act so humble, so profound, that it revealed the very heart of God. In that sacred moment, He showed us that true greatness is found not in being served, but in serving others with love.

Through this powerful gesture, Jesus imprinted upon the hearts of His apostles—and upon us as well—that if we truly desire to follow Him, we must first embrace humility. We are called to serve, to lower ourselves, and to love without expecting anything in return.

How often do people turn away from our faith because they do not see the humility of Jesus reflected in us? How often do we fail to grow because we hold on to pride, choosing recognition over service, comfort over sacrifice? If we are honest with ourselves, we know that we sometimes struggle to live out the very example that Jesus has given us.

If we desire to become true leaders in our families, communities, and faith, we must learn to serve rather than be served. We must lead not only with words, but with actions that reflect compassion, patience, and self-giving love. Above all, we must follow the path of humility that Jesus Himself walked.

This Holy Thursday, as we reflect on the words of Jesus in the Gospel, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15), let us open our hearts more deeply to His call.

And so we ask ourselves: Are we willing to kneel down in humility and serve others as Jesus did—even when it is difficult, unnoticed, or uncomfortable—or are we still holding back, choosing to be served rather than to serve?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Huwebes Santo Abril 2 Misa sa Pagtatakipsilim sa Paghahapunan ng Panginoon: Juan 13:1-15

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:1-15

Bisperas na ng Paskuwa. Alam ni Hesus na dumating na ang panahon ng kanyang paglisan sa sanlibutang ito upang bumalik sa Ama. Mahal niya ang kanyang mga tagasunod na nasa sanlibutan, at ngayo’y ipakikita niya kung hanggang saan ang kanyang pag-ibig sa kanila.

Naghahapunan si Hesus at ang mga alagad. Naisilid na ng diyablo sa isip ni Judas, anak ni Simon Iscariote, ang pagkakanulo kay Hesus. Alam ni Hesus na ibinigay na sa kanya ng Ama ang buong kapangyarihan; alam din niyang siya’y mula sa Diyos at babalik sa Diyos. Kaya’t nang sila’y naghahapunan, tumindig si Hesus, naghubad ng kanyang panlabas na kasuotan, at nagbigkis ng tuwalya.

Pagkatapos, nagbuhos siya ng tubig sa palanggana, at sinimulang hugasan ang paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang nakabigkis sa kanya. Paglapit niya kay Simon Pedro, tumutol ito. “Panginoon,” sabi niya, “diyata’t kayo pa ang maghuhugas ng aking mga paa?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Hindi mo nauunawan ngayon ang ginagawa ko, ngunit mauunawaan mo rin pagkatapos.” Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro. “Hinding-hindi ko po pahuhugasan sa inyo ang aking mga paa.”

“Kung hindi kita huhugasan, wala kang kaugnayan sa akin,” tugon ni Hesus. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro, “Panginoon, hindi lamang po ang mga paa ko, kundi pati ang aking kamay at ulo!” Ani Hesus, “Maliban sa kanyang mga paa, hindi na kailangang hugasan pa ang naligo na, sapagkat malinis na ang kanyang buong katawan. At malinis na kayo, ngunit hindi lahat.” Sapagkat alam ni Hesus kung sino ang magkakanulo sa kanya, kaya sinabi niyang malinis na sila, ngunit hindi lahat.

Nang mahugasan na ni Hesus ang kanilang mga paa, siya’y nagsuot ng damit at nagbalik sa hapag. “Nauunawaan ba ninyo kung ano ang ginawa ko sa inyo?” tanong niya sa kanila. “Tinatawag ninyo akong Guro at Panginoon, at tama kayo, sapagkat ako nga. Kung akong Panginoon ninyo at Guro ay naghugas ng inyong mga paa, dapat din kayong mahugasan ng paa. Binigyan ko kayo ng halimbawa at ito’y dapat ninyong tularan.”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Ano ang gagawin natin kung alam nating malapit na nating harapin ang huling hapunan ng ating buhay? Marahil ay tutuon tayo sa ating sarili. Maaaring piliin nating lumayo sa iba at taimtim na manalangin sa ating Diyos.

Ngunit si Jesus, na lubos na nakaaalam na dumating na ang Kanyang oras, ay pumili ng ibang landas. Sa Kanyang Huling Hapunan, hindi Niya inuna ang Kanyang sarili. Sa halip, Siya ay lumuhod at hinugasan ang mga paa ng Kanyang mga apostol—isang napakumbaba at napakalalim na gawa na nagpapahayag ng tunay na puso ng Diyos. Sa banal na sandaling iyon, ipinakita Niya sa atin na ang tunay na kadakilaan ay hindi nasusukat sa paglilingkod sa atin, kundi sa ating paglilingkod sa iba nang may pag-ibig.

Sa pamamagitan ng makapangyarihang gawaing ito, inukit ni Jesus sa puso ng Kanyang mga apostol—at sa ating mga puso rin—na kung nais nating tunay na sumunod sa Kanya, kailangan muna nating yakapin ang kababaang-loob. Tayo ay tinatawag upang maglingkod, magpakababa, at magmahal nang walang hinihintay na kapalit.

Ilang beses na bang may mga taong lumalayo sa ating pananampalataya dahil hindi nila nakikita ang kababaang-loob ni Jesus sa atin? Ilang beses na rin ba tayong hindi umuunlad sa pananampalataya dahil pinipili natin ang ating sarili—ang pagkilala, ang kaginhawahan—sa halip na ang sakripisyo at paglilingkod? Kung tapat tayo sa ating sarili, alam nating hindi madali ang isabuhay ang halimbawang iniwan ni Jesus.

Kung nais nating maging tunay na mga pinuno sa ating pamilya, komunidad, at pananampalataya, kailangan nating matutong maglingkod kaysa paglingkuran. Kailangan nating manguna hindi lamang sa salita kundi sa gawa—sa pamamagitan ng malasakit, pagtitiis, at pag-ibig na handang mag-alay ng sarili. Higit sa lahat, kailangan nating tahakin ang landas ng kababaang-loob na tinahak ni Jesus.

Sa Huwebes Santo na ito, habang pinagninilayan natin ang Kanyang mga salitang ito sa Ebanghelyo, “Binigyan ko kayo ng halimbawang dapat ninyong tularan, upang kung ano ang ginawa ko sa inyo, gayon din ang gawin ninyo” (Juan 13:15), buksan natin nang mas malalim ang ating mga puso sa Kanyang paanyaya.

At ngayon, tanungin natin ang ating mga sarili: Handa ba tayong lumuhod at maglingkod tulad ni Jesus—kahit mahirap, kahit walang nakakakita, kahit walang kapalit—o mas pinipili pa rin nating tayo ang paglingkuran kaysa maglingkod?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for April 1 Wednesday of Holy Week: Matthew 26:14-25

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.  

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples. The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.  

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?  

He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Do we open our homes—and our hearts—as a shelter for those in need?

Who was the man who opened his house to Jesus and His apostles? We do not know his name, yet his quiet act of generosity speaks powerfully to us. He did not seek recognition or reward. With a willing and humble heart, he simply offered what he had. His home became a sacred place where the Lord was welcomed and honored.

In contrast, Judas was also there with Jesus and the other apostles, yet his presence was not rooted in love or communion. While he sat among them, his heart was already drifting away. Beneath the surface, he was nurturing a plan of betrayal.

The Gospel reveals Judas’ growing attachment to mammon, to worldly wealth that slowly consumed his heart. Why did he betray his Lord and Master? Because he allowed darkness to enter and take hold within him. What began as temptation became consent, and what was once hidden eventually led to destruction.

This invites us to reflect deeply on our own lives. We may be close to Jesus outwardly—through prayer, service, or religious practice—but what truly dwells within our hearts? Are we, like the unnamed host, quietly offering ourselves in love and generosity? Or are there hidden attachments, temptations, or compromises that we allow to grow?

We must be vigilant. The moment we allow evil even the smallest foothold in our lives, it begins to take root. And if left unchecked, it can lead us farther away from the Lord than we ever intended.

Today, we are called not only to open our homes but to open our hearts fully to Jesus. Let us welcome Him with sincerity, guard our hearts with humility, and choose faithfulness over compromise each day.

As we reflect, let us ask ourselves: Are we truly making room for Jesus in our lives, or are we allowing subtle temptations to quietly take His place in our hearts?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Abril 1 Miyerkules Santo: Mateo 26:14-25

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 26:14-25

Si Judas Iscariote, isa sa Labindalawa, ay nakipagkita sa mga punong saserdote. "Ano po ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin kung tulungan ko kayong madakip si Jesus?" tanong niya. Noon din ay binilangan niya siya ng tatlumpong salaping pilak. Mula noon, humanap na si Judas ng pagkakataon upang maipagkanulo si Jesus. 

Dumating ang unang araw ng Kapistahan ng Tinapay na Walang Lebadura. Lumapit kay Jesus ang mga alagad at nagtanong, "Saan po ninyo ibig na ipaghanda namin kayo ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa?" Sumagot siya, "Pumunta kayo sa lunsod at hanapin ninyo ang taong ito. Sabihin sa kanyang ganito ang ipinasasabi ng Guro: 'Malapit na ang aking oras. Ako at ang mga alagad ko'y sa bahay mo kakain ng Hapunang Pampaskuwa.' " Sinunod ng mga alagad ang utos ni Jesus, at inihanda nila ang Hapunang Pampaskuwa. 

Nang gabing yaon, dumulog sa hapag si Jesus, kasama ang labindalawang alagad. Samantalang sila'y kumakain, nangusap si Jesus, "Sinasabi ko: isa sa inyo ang magkakanulo sa akin." Nanlumo ang mga alagad, at isa't isa'y nagtanong sa kanya, "Ako po ba, Panginoon?" Sumagot siya, "Ang kasabay kong sumawsaw sa mangkok ang siyang magkakanulo sa akin.

Papanaw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa nasusulat, ngunit sa aba ng nagkanulo sa kanya! "Mabuti pang hindi na ipinanganak ang taong iyon." Si Judas, na magkakanulo sa kanya, ay nagtanong din, "Guro, ako po ba?" Sumagot si Jesus, "Ikaw na ang nagsabi."

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Binubuksan ba natin ang ating mga tahanan—at higit sa lahat, ang ating mga puso—bilang kanlungan para sa mga nangangailangan?

Sino ang taong nagbukas ng kanyang tahanan para kay Jesus at sa Kanyang mga alagad? Hindi natin alam ang kanyang pangalan, ngunit ang kanyang kabutihan ay nagsasalita nang malakas sa ating lahat. Hindi siya naghangad ng kapalit o pagkilala. Sa halip, buong kababaang-loob at bukas-palad niyang inialay ang kanyang tahanan. Dahil dito, ang kanyang tahanan ay naging isang banal na lugar kung saan tinanggap at pinarangalan ang Panginoon.

Sa kabilang banda, naroon din si Judas kasama ni Jesus at ng mga alagad, ngunit ang kanyang presensya ay walang tunay na pakikiisa. Habang siya ay nakaupo kasama nila, ang kanyang puso ay unti-unti nang lumalayo. Sa kaloob-looban niya, siya ay nagbabalak ng pagtataksil.

Ipinapakita sa Ebanghelyo ang unti-unting pagkahumaling ni Judas sa mammon o kayamanang makamundo. Bakit niya ipinagkanulo ang kanyang Panginoon at Guro? Sapagkat pinahintulutan niyang makapasok at maghari ang kadiliman sa kanyang puso. Ang nagsimula bilang tukso ay naging pahintulot, at ang lihim ay nauwi sa kapahamakan.

Inaanyayahan tayo nito na magnilay nang mas malalim. Maaaring malapit tayo kay Jesus sa panlabas—sa panalangin, paglilingkod, o mga gawaing panrelihiyon—ngunit ano nga ba ang tunay na laman ng ating puso? Tayo ba ay tulad ng hindi kilalang taong bukas-palad na nag-aalay ng sarili nang may pag-ibig? O may mga lihim tayong kinakapitan—mga tukso at kompromiso—na unti-unting naglalayo sa atin sa Kanya?

Kailangan tayong maging mapagbantay. Sa sandaling pahintulutan natin ang kasamaan na magkaroon kahit maliit na puwang sa ating buhay, ito ay mag-uugat at lalago. At kung hindi natin ito pipigilan, maaari tayong sirain nito at tuluyang ilayo sa Panginoon.

Ngayon, tinatawag tayo hindi lamang na buksan ang ating mga tahanan kundi higit sa lahat ang ating mga puso para kay Jesus. Tanggapin natin Siya nang buong katapatan at piliin ang katapatan kaysa sa kompromiso at pagtataksil sa bawat araw.

Sa ating pagninilay, tanungin natin ang ating sarili: Tunay ba nating binibigyan ng puwang si Jesus sa ating buhay, o hinahayaan nating ang mga tahimik na tukso ang unti-unting pumalit sa Kanya sa ating puso?— Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 31 Tuesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it? 

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly. Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. 

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Have we ever experienced what it is like to be betrayed by a trusted friend? Have we ever felt the deep pain of being denied by someone very close to us? Jesus Christ Himself went through these painful moments. He was betrayed by one of His own, Judas Iscariot, and denied by another who had once professed his loyalty, Peter.

As we reflect on this, we can only imagine the sorrow that filled the heart of Jesus. Day by day, His world seemed to grow smaller. Those whom He loved and trusted began to fall away. When betrayal and denial came, His heart must have been wounded deeply, perhaps even bleeding with sorrow. And yet, in the midst of such pain, Jesus chose not to take these personally. He saw beyond the hurt. He trusted that even in suffering, God’s greater purpose would unfold.

Indeed, something good came out of these painful moments. Through Judas’ betrayal, the hidden truth was revealed. Through Peter’s denial, the weakness of even the most devoted follower came to light—that in moments of fear, we can falter. These events remind us not only of human frailty but also of God’s greater plan working quietly even in darkness.

And yet, what is most striking is this: Jesus forgave. He did not allow betrayal or denial to harden His heart. He did not cling to anger or resentment. Instead, He responded with mercy and love.

When we look into our own hearts, we realize that we, too, have denied and betrayed Jesus in many ways—through our sins, our weaknesses, and our moments of unfaithfulness. And still, He does not turn away from us. He does not keep a record of our failures. His heart remains open, always ready to forgive, always ready to welcome us back.

What then is Jesus teaching us today?

He invites us to remain faithful and never betray the trust given to us. But more than that, He calls us to forgive—especially when it is difficult, even when no apology is offered. For when we hold on to anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, it is not the other person who suffers the most—it is us. Forgiveness, though painful, is the path to true freedom of the heart.

As followers of Jesus, we are called not only to receive His mercy but also to reflect it in the way we treat others.

When we are hurt, betrayed, or denied… will we choose to hold on to the pain, or will we choose to love and forgive as Jesus does?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 31 Martes Santo: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Mabuting Balita: Juan 13:21-33, 36-38

Noong panahong iyon, habang nakahilig kasama ng kanyang mga alagad, nagugulumihanang sinabi ni Hesus, “Tandaan ninyo: ako’y ipagkakanulo ng isa sa inyo.” Nagkatinginan ang mga alagad; hindi nila alam kung sino ang kanyang tinutukoy. Ang alagad na minamahal ni Hesus ay nakahilig na kalapit niya. Kinalabit siya ni Simon Pedro at sinabi, “Itanong mo kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.”  

Kaya humilig siya sa dibdib ni Hesus at itinanong: “Panginoon, sino po ba ang tinutukoy ninyo?” Sumagot si Hesus, “Ang ipagsawsaw ko ng tinapay, siya na nga.” At nang maisawsaw ang tinapay, ibinigay niya ito kay Judas na anak ni Simon Iscariote. Nang matanggap na ni Judas ang tinapay, si Satanas ay pumasok sa kanya.  

Sinabi ni Hesus, “Gawin mo na ang gagawin mo!” Ngunit isa man sa mga kasalo niya ay walang nakaalam kung bakit niya sinabi ito. Sapagkat si Judas ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi, inakala nilang pinabibili siya ni Hesus ng kakailanganin sa pista o kaya’y pinapaglilimos sa mga dukha. Nang makain na ni Judas ang tinapay, siya’y umalis. Gabi na noon. 

Pagkaalis ni Judas ay sinabi ni Hesus, “Ngayo’y mahahayag na ang karangalan ng Anak ng Tao; at mahahayag din ang karangalan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. At kung mahayag na ang karangalan ng Diyos, ang Diyos naman ang maghahayag ng karangalan ng Anak, at gagawin niya ito agad. Mga anak, kaunting panahon na lamang ninyo akong makakasama. Hahanapin ninyo ako; ngunit sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon ang sinabi ko sa mga Judio, ‘Hindi kayo makapupunta sa paroroonan ko.’” 

“Saan po kayo pupunta, Panginoon?” tanong ni Simon Pedro. Sumagot si Hesus, “Sa paroroonan ko’y hindi ka makasusunod ngayon, ngunit susunod ka pagkatapos.” “Bakit po hindi ako makasusunod sa inyo ngayon?” tanong ni Pedro. “Buhay ko ma’y iaalay ko dahil sa inyo.” Sumagot si Hesus, “Iaalay mo ang iyong buhay dahil sa akin? Tandaan mo: bago tumilaok ang manok, makaitlo mo akong itatatwa.”

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Naranasan na ba nating ipagkanulo ng isang pinagkakatiwalaang kaibigan? Naranasan na rin ba nating itanggi ng isang taong malapit sa atin? Si Hesus mismo ay dumaan sa ganitong matinding sakit. Siya ay ipinagkanulo ng isa sa Kanyang mga alagad, si Judas Iscariot, at itinanggi naman ng isa pang nangakong magiging tapat sa Kanya, si Pedro.

Habang pinagninilayan natin ito, maiisip natin kung gaano kasakit ang Kanyang naranasan. Araw-araw, tila unti-unting lumiit ang Kanyang mundo. Ang mga taong minahal at pinagkatiwalaan Niya ay isa-isang nanghina. Nang dumating ang pagtataksil at pagtanggi, marahil ay sugatan na ang Kanyang puso—punong-puno ng dalamhati. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, hindi Niya piniling damdamin ito laban sa kanila. Nakita Niya ang higit pa sa sakit. Naniwala Siya na kahit sa gitna ng pagdurusa, may mabuting layunin ang Diyos na unti-unting nahahayag.

Tunay nga, may mabuting bunga ang mga pangyayaring ito. Sa pagtataksil ni Judas, nahayag ang katotohanan. Sa pagtanggi ni Pedro, nakita ang kahinaan ng tao—na kahit ang tapat ay maaaring matakot at magkanulo. Ipinapaalala nito sa atin na tayong lahat ay marupok, ngunit sa kabila nito, kumikilos pa rin ang plano ng Diyos, kahit sa gitna ng kadiliman.

At higit sa lahat, ito ang pinakakahanga-hanga: nagpatawad si Jesus. Hindi Niya hinayaang tumigas ang Kanyang puso dahil sa sakit. Hindi Siya kumapit sa galit o sama ng loob. Sa halip, pinili Niya ang awa at pagmamahal.

Kung titingnan natin ang ating sarili, aaminin natin na tayo man ay paulit-ulit na tumatanggi at nagtataksil kay Jesus—sa pamamagitan ng ating mga kasalanan, kahinaan, at pagkukulang. Ngunit sa kabila nito, hindi Niya tayo tinatalikuran. Hindi Niya binibilang ang ating mga pagkakamali. Bukas pa rin ang Kanyang puso—laging handang magpatawad, laging handang tanggapin tayong muli.

Ano ngayon ang paanyaya sa atin?

Tinatawag tayong maging tapat at huwag ipagkanulo ang tiwalang ibinibigay sa atin. Ngunit higit pa rito, inaanyayahan tayong magpatawad—lalo na kung mahirap, kahit hindi humingi ng tawad ang nakasakit sa atin. Sapagkat kapag kinapitan natin ang galit, poot, at sama ng loob, hindi ang iba ang higit na nasasaktan—kundi tayo rin. Ang pagpapatawad, kahit masakit, ang daan tungo sa tunay na kalayaan ng ating puso.

Bilang mga tagasunod ni Jesus, tinatawag tayong hindi lamang tumanggap ng Kanyang awa, kundi ipakita rin ito sa iba.

 Kapag tayo ay nasaktan, ipinagkanulo, o itinanggi… pipiliin ba nating kumapit sa sakit, o pipiliin nating magmahal at magpatawad tulad ni Jesus?—Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 30 Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

Gospel: John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?" He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." 

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

+ + + + +  + +

Reflection:

Do we sometimes allow hatred, greed, and envy to quietly take hold of our hearts? And when we do, where do these lead us?

The chief priests allowed these dark desires to rule over them. Blinded by fear and pride, they saw in Jesus a threat to their power and position. Instead of seeking truth, they chose to silence Him. At all costs, they resolved to remove Him—and they succeeded. But in doing so, they surrendered themselves to something far more dangerous: they allowed evil to take root within them.

Hatred, greed, and envy are not merely emotions—they are subtle traps that slowly pull us away from God. When we entertain them, even in small ways, they begin to shape our thoughts, our decisions, and ultimately our actions. We see this in the world around us: leaders who cling to power at any cost, relationships broken by unforgiveness, hearts hardened by jealousy and resentment.

And if we are honest, we may also see traces of these in our own lives.

We know where these led the chief priests—they were driven to destroy the very One who came to save them. In their minds, they believed they had finally rid themselves of Jesus.

But they were mistaken.

Through His resurrection, Jesus triumphed over their hatred and exposed the emptiness of their actions. What they thought would bring them security only led to deeper unrest. What they believed would give them control only revealed their inner bondage.

And the same can happen to us.

When we allow hatred, greed, and envy to take root in our hearts, they do not give us peace—they rob us of it. They distance us from God and from one another. But the Risen Christ offers us another way—a way of love, humility, forgiveness, and freedom.

What are we allowing to grow within us—and are we willing to surrender these to Christ so that His love, not our hidden darkness, may truly reign in our lives? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon Marso 30 Lunes Santo: Juan 12:1-11

Mabuting Balita: Juan 12:1-11

Anim na araw bago mag-Paskuwa, si Hesus ay dumating sa Betania, sa bayan ni Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Ipinaghanda siya roon ng hapunan; naglingkod si Marta, at si Lazaro’y isa sa mga kasalo ni Hesus. Kumuha si Maria ng mamahaling pabango, isang libra ng dalisay na nardo, at ibinuhos sa mga paa ni Hesus. Pagkatapos, pinunasan ng kanyang buhok. At humalimuyak sa buong bahay ang pabango. 

Si Judas Iscariote, ang alagad na magkakanulo kay Hesus, ay nagsabi, “Bakit hindi ipinagbili ang pabango at ibinigay sa mga dukha ang pinagbilhan? Maaaring umabot sa tatlong daang denaryo ang halaga niyan.” Hindi dahil sa siya’y may malasakit sa mga dukha kaya niya sinabi iyon, kundi dahil sa siya’y magnanakaw. Siya ang nag-iingat ng kanilang salapi at kinukupit niya ito. 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Ano’t siya’y ginugulo ninyo? Pabayaan ninyong ilaan niya ito para sa paglilibing sa akin. Habang panaho’y kasama ninyo ang mga dukha, ngunit ako’y hindi ninyo kasama sa habang panahon.” 

Nabalitaan ng maraming Judio na si Hesus ay nasa Betania kaya’t pumaroon sila, hindi lamang dahil sa kanya, kundi para makita si Lazaro na kanyang muling binuhay. Kaya’t binalak ng mga punong saserdote na ipapatay rin si Lazaro, sapagkat dahil sa kanya’y maraming Judio ang humihiwalay na sa kanila at nananalig kay Hesus.

+ + + + + + +

Repleksyon:

Hinahayaan ba natin na ang poot, kasakiman, at inggit ay unti-unting maghari sa ating mga puso? At kapag hinayaan natin ito, saan tayo dinadala ng mga ito?

Pinahintulutan ng mga punong pari na manaig sa kanila ang ganitong uri ng kadiliman. Dahil sa takot at pagmamataas, nakita nila si Jesus bilang banta sa kanilang kapangyarihan at katayuan. Sa halip na hanapin ang katotohanan, pinili nilang patahimikin Siya. Sa anumang paraan, nagpasiya silang alisin Siya—at nagtagumpay sila. Ngunit kapalit nito, isinuko nila ang kanilang sarili sa isang mas mapanganib na bagay: hinayaan nilang mag-ugat ang kasamaan sa kanilang kalooban.

Ang poot, kasakiman, at inggit ay hindi lamang simpleng pakiramdam—ito ay mga patibong na unti-unting humihila sa atin palayo sa Diyos. Kapag hinahayaan natin ang mga ito, kahit sa maliliit na paraan, naaapektuhan ang ating pag-iisip, ang ating mga desisyon, at ang ating mga kilos. Nakikita natin ito sa ating paligid: mga politikong kumakapit sa kapangyarihan sa anumang paraan, mga ugnayang nasisira dahil sa kawalan ng pagpapatawad, at mga pusong hindi nagpapatawad dahil sa sama ng loob.

At kung magiging tapat tayo sa ating sarili, marahil ay makikita rin natin ang bakas ng mga ito sa ating sariling buhay.

Alam natin kung saan dinala ng mga ito ang mga punong pari—umabot sila sa puntong pinlano nilang patayin ang mismong Tagapagligtas na dumating upang iligtas sila. Sa kanilang akala, tuluyan na nilang naalis si Jesus sa kanilang buhay.

Ngunit sila ay nagkamali.

Sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang muling pagkabuhay, nagtagumpay si Jesus laban sa kanilang kasamaan at ipinakita ang kawalan ng saysay ng kanilang ginawa. Ang inaakala nilang magbibigay sa kanila ng kapanatagan ay lalo lamang nagdulot ng kaguluhan sa kanilang kalooban. Ang inaakala nilang magbibigay sa kanila ng kapangyarihan ay lalo lamang naglantad ng kanilang pagkaalipin sa kapangyarihan.

At maaari rin itong mangyari sa atin.

Kapag hinayaan nating mag-ugat sa ating puso ang poot, kasakiman, at inggit, hindi ito nagdudulot ng kapayapaan—inaagaw nito ang ating kapayapaan. Inilalayo tayo nito sa Diyos at sa isa’t isa. Ngunit ang Muling Nabuhay na Kristo ay nag-aanyaya sa atin sa ibang landas—ang landas ng pag-ibig, kababaang-loob, pagpapatawad at tunay na kalayaan.

Ano ang pinapayagan nating tumubo sa ating kalooban—at handa ba nating isuko ang mga ito kay Kristo upang ang Kanyang pag-ibig, at hindi ang ating mga maitim na budhi ang tunay na maghari sa ating buhay? —Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for March 29 Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion: Matthew 26: 14 – 27:66

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written:I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.

He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area,  yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses?

You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?” Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” 

Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.” After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites, and they paid it out for the potter’s field  just as the Lord had commanded me.

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over.

While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?”

They all said, “Let him be crucified!” But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha ¬—which means Place of the Skull —, they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!”

Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,  “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.

The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, ‘After three days I will be raised up.’ Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ This last imposture would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go, secure it as best you can.” So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

A familiar saying tells us: “Victory has many fathers, and defeat is an orphan.” As we prayerfully reflect on our Palm Sunday Gospel, we begin to see how this truth unfolds in the life of Jesus—and, perhaps, in our own lives as well.

Because of His miraculous deeds, Jesus drew many followers. Crowds gathered around Him, eager to witness His power, to receive His blessings, and to be part of something extraordinary. Yet when opposition arose—when He was persecuted and rejected—many quietly faded away. The same voices that once praised Him grew silent.

If we look honestly into our hearts, we may recognize that this story is not only about those people long ago—it is also about us. At times, we follow Jesus because of what He can do for us. We seek Him in moments of need, in times of uncertainty, in seasons when we long for miracles. But when His ways challenge us, when His silence tests us, or when His path leads us to sacrifice, we may find ourselves drifting away.

How easily we can replace Him with the passing “gods” of this world—the allure of wealth, the pull of pleasure, the desire for power, and the many distractions that promise fulfillment but leave us empty. Without realizing it, we can turn Jesus into a “God of convenience,” someone we follow only when it suits us.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding humbly on a donkey, He was welcomed with joy and celebration. The people cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Their hearts seemed full of devotion. Yet only days later, after betrayal, suffering, and humiliation, many turned away. Some even joined the voices that cried out, “Crucify Him!”

What a painful reminder of how fragile human loyalty can be. How often our faith depends on comfort, on blessings, on answered prayers. How quickly our commitment fades when faced with trials, sacrifices, or the call to true conversion.

And so, as we journey together through this Holy Week, we are invited not only to remember the Passion of Jesus but to enter into it—to walk with Him, to stay with Him, even when the road leads to the Cross.

Let us pause and examine our hearts with sincerity and humility. Let us ask for the grace to love Jesus not only in moments of joy but also in moments of suffering; not only when He gives, but simply because He is our Lord.

As we stand before the Cross this Holy Week, will we remain with Jesus in faithful love—or will we, too, walk away when following Him becomes difficult?—Marino J. Dasmarinas