1Reflection for March 24, 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:

Do you believe in Jesus as your Lord and savior? In our gospel for today, after casting out the demon from a man Jesus was accused to be one with the demons. They obviously did not believe in Jesus as their Lord and savior. They also can’t believe that Jesus is capable of doing this miracle with good intentions in His heart. Otherwise they would have not accused Him as one with the demons.  

Who is one with the demons? Is it Jesus or the ones who refuse to believe in Him? There are only two options that we have in this world to believe in Jesus or not to believe in Jesus. To believe means that we should walk the path of Jesus for we can’t say that we believe yet we don’t walk the path of Jesus. Those who don’t believe are those who are vulnerable to the company and possession of the devil. 

Many of the people of today are like those in the time of Jesus who did not believe in Him. For what reasons? Perhaps they are so obsessed with their own selves. That they regard themselves as somebody who know better than Jesus that’s why they don’t believe. Or they believe but they don’t follow the teachings of Jesus.  

But the consequence of not believing in Jesus is enormous. First and foremost is they invite the devil to possess them. And once they are already possessed by the devil they now are capable of doing evil without any guilt of conscience.  

This is the reason why there are mothers who abort their unborn child without any guilt of conscience. This is the reason why there are married couples who engaged in adulterous relationships without guilt of conscience. They are capable of doing these despicable acts because they’ve allowed themselves to be possessed by the devil.      

But there’s still hope for as long as there are people like you who believe in Jesus. People like you who will stand for the teachings and values of Jesus. People like you who will value the gift of life more than the evil of abortion and wicked convenience. And people like you who will respect the sanctity of the marriage covenant and not succumb to wicked, evil and lustful desires enticed by the devil. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 24 Huwebes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 11:14-23

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 11:14-23

14 Minsa’y nagpapalayas si Jesus ng isang demonyo at ito’y pipi. Nang luma­bas na ang demonyo, nakapagsa­lita ang pipi at namangha ang mga tao. 15 Ngunit sinabi ng ilan sa kanila: “Pinalalayas niya ang mga ito sa tulong ni Beelzebul na pinuno ng mga demonyo.” 16 Gusto naman ng iba na subukin si Jesus at humi­ngi sila sa kanya ng isang tanda galing sa langit.   

17 Alam ni Jesus ang kanilang iniisip kaya sinabi niya sa kanila: “Mabu­buwag ang bawat kahariang nagka­kahati-hati at magigiba roon ang mga samba­hayan. 18 Ngayon, kung nagkakahati-hati si Sa­tanas, paano mag­ta­tagal ang kanyang kaharian? Di nga ba’t sinasabi ninyo na nagpapalayas ako ng mga de­monyo sa tulong ni Beelzebul? 19 Kung sa pamamagitan ni Beelzebul ako nag­pa­palayas ng mga demonyo, paano na­man napalalayas ng inyong mga ka­anib ang mga ito? Sila mismo ang nara­rapat sumagot sa inyo.  

20 Sa daliri ng Diyos ako nagpapa­layas ng mga demonyo kaya sumapit na sa inyo ang kaharian ng Diyos. 21 Kung sandatahang binabantayan ni Malakas ang kanyang palasyo, hindi magagam­bala ang kanyang mga pag-aari. 22 Pero kung salakayin siya ng mas makapang­yarihan sa kanya at talunin siya, maa­agaw nito ang kanyang mga armas na kanyang inasahan at ipamamahagi ang kanyang mga ari-arian.  23 Ang hindi panig sa akin ay laban sa akin, at ang hindi nagtitipong kasama ko ay nagpapangalat. 

Reflection for March 23, 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?  

Jesus in our gospel for today speaks about Himself as the fulfillment of the law. In effect Jesus was telling the disciples I am now the fulfilment of those commandments from the Old Testament.  

For example, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) which God gave to Moses in the mountain of Sinai. Jesus summarized these ten to become the two greatest commandments which states: “‘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 thus it became the two greatest commandments of love. Indeed, if we really love Jesus there would be no room for hatred, condemnation, self-righteousness, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.  

What would remain in our hearts is love for love is the advocacy and language of Jesus. Jesus love for us is so unlike the love that we have. This is for the reason that Jesus’ love is not a selective kind of love but love for everyone of us no matter who we are.   

This is therefore the exercise of love that we have to emulate: To love everyone no matter how they loved us and no matter the sins that they’ve committed against us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 23 Miyerkules sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 5:17-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:17-19

Sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: 17 Huwag ninyong akalain na napa­rito ako para pawalang-bisa ang Batas at Mga Propeta. Naparito ako hindi para magpa­walang-bisa kundi upang mag­bigay-kaganapan. 18 At talagang sinasabi ko sa inyo: habang hindi naba­bago ang langit at lupa, hindi maba­bago ni isang kudlit o kuwit ng Batas: lahat ay matu­tupad.   

19 Kung may lumabag sa pinakamaliit na ipinag-uutos ng Batas at magturo ng ganoon sa mga tao, ituturing din siyang pinakamaliit sa Kaharian ng Langit. Ngu­nit kung may magsagawa at magturo ng mga ito sa mga tao, magiging dakila siya sa Kaharian ng Langit.

 

1Reflection for March 22, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent: Matthew 18:21-35

Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. 

That is why the Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. 

At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. 

His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

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Reflection:

Why is it that many of us are not able to forgive? This is for the reason that we think highly of ourselves and we think that we are superior than the person who sinned against us. Unforgiveness also emanates from our arrogance, pride and lack of humility. Unforgiveness is also a sign that we love ourselves more than we love Jesus.  

If we truly love Jesus and if we really are humble we would be forgiving no matter how deep the wound that had been inflicted upon us. For example, if a wayward spouse would ask for forgiveness we would think deeply upon it and would eventually forgive.  

If we would continue to provide safe harbor for hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts, we are only creating an invisible prison cell within ourselves. Prison cell that perpetually punish and enslave us. 

In our gospel, Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22). This simply means that forgiveness should be never-ending or limitless.  

Those who are humble and those who deeply love Jesus are the only ones capable of unlimited forgiveness. Are you forgiving? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 22 Martes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 18:21-35

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 18:21-35

21 Nagtanong naman si Pedro: “Panginoon, gaano kadalas ko naman dapat patawarin ang mga pagku­kulang ng aking kapatid? Pitong be­ses ba?” 22 Sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi, hindi pitong beses kundi pitumpu’t pitong beses.  

23 Tungkol sa kaharian ng Langit ang kasaysayang ito. Isang hari ang nag­pasyang pagbayarin ng utang ang kanyang mga utusan. 24 Nang simulan niyang suriin ang kuwenta, ini­harap sa kanya ang isang may utang na sampung libong baretang ginto. 25 Dahil walang ma­ibayad sa kanya ang tao, iniutos ng panginoon na ipagbili at maging alipin siya kasama ng kan­yang asawa, mga anak at mga ari-arian bilang bayad-utang.  

26 At nagpatirapa sa paanan ng hari ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Bigyan mo pa ako ng panahon, at ba­bayaran kong lahat ang utang ko.’ 27 Naawa sa kanya ang hari at hindi lamang siya pinalaya kundi kinansela pa ang kanyang utang. 28 Pagkaalis ng opisyal na ito, nasa­lu­bong ni­ya ang isa sa kanyang mga kasamahan na may utang namang sandaang barya sa kanya. Si­nung­gaban niya ito sa leeg at halos sakalin habang sumisigaw ng ‘Bayaran mo ang utang mo!’  

29 Nagpa­tirapa sa paanan niya ang kanyang kasamahan at nag­sabi: ‘Big­yan mo pa ako ng panahon, at baba­yaran kong lahat ang utang ko sa iyo.’ 30 Ngunit tumanggi siya at ipina­kulong ito hanggang maka­bayad ng utang. 31 Labis na nalungkot ang iba nilang kapwa-lingkod nang makita ang nang­yari. Kaya pinuntahan nila ang kani­lang panginoon at ibinalita ang buong pang­yayari. 

32 Ipinatawag naman niya ang opisyal at sinabi: ‘Masamang utusan, pinatawad ko ang lahat ng iyong utang nang maki­usap ka sa akin. 33 Di ba dapat ay naawa ka rin sa iyong kasamahan gaya ng pagkaawa ko sa iyo?’ 34 Galit na galit ang panginoon kaya ibinigay niya ang kanyang utusan sa mga tagapag­pa­hirap hang­gang mabaya­ran nito ang lahat ng utang.” 

35 Idinagdag ni Jesus: “Ganito rin ang gagawin sa inyo ng aking Ama sa Langit kung hindi pata­tawarin ng bawat isa sa inyo mula sa puso ang kanyang kapatid.”           

Reflection for March 21, 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 your fellowmen? 

Crab mentality perhaps was in the minds of Jesus townmates that is why they did not acknowledge Him as their prophet. His townmates were envious of His newfound celebrity status they could not accept that a simple carpenter was doing all these life changing preaching, healings and miracles.  

The reality of our lives is this: We don’t control the destiny of others only God controls it. God can raise up seemingly ordinary people to give them extraordinary gifts and missions. We must not be envious of these people who were given by God with these extra-ordinary gifts we instead must be happy for them. 

The result of their loathsome behavior towards Jesus is this: Jesus did not do much miracles in their place.  Let us not be like the townmates of Jesus let us embrace Jesus and let us deeply believe in Him and follow His teachings. Because Jesus is the only one who holds the key to the door of our salvation.   – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 21 Lunes sa Ika-3 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 4:24-30

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 4:24-30

Pagdating ni Jesus sa Nazaret sinabi niya sa lahat ng mga taong nasa sinagoga24 “Talagang sinasabi ko: walang propetang katanggap-tanggap sa sarili niyang bayan. 25 Tinitiyak ko sa inyo na maraming babaeng balo noon sa kapana­hunan ni Elias nang sarhan ang langit sa loob ng tatlo’t kala­hating taon at nagkaroon ng matin­ding taggutom sa buong lupain.  

26 Gayon pa ma’y hindi ipinadala si Elias sa isa man sa kanila kundi sa baba­eng balo ng    Sarepta sa may Sidon. 27 Marami ring may­ketong sa Israel sa kapana­hunan ni Propeta Eliseo pero wala sa kanilang pinaga­ling kundi ang Siriong si Naaman.”   

28 Napuno ng galit ang lahat sa sinagoga pagkarinig dito, 29 tumindig sila at ipinagtulakan siya sa labas ng bayan. Dinala nila siya sa gilid ng burol na ki­na­­­ta­tayuan ng kanilang bayan para ihu­log. 30 Ngunit du­maan siya sa gitna nila at umalis.

Reflection for Sunday March 20, 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:

Would you obey this call of repentance by Jesus? 

Repentance is something that we all need to do for we are all sinners. But why is it that many of us are not willing to obey this call of Jesus? The reason behind is we don’t have the virtue of humility. And many of us have mortgaged our life to the Devil to enjoy sinful earthly pleasures.  These are the reasons why we refuse God’s call for us to repent. But what price are we willing to pay for snubbing Jesus call of repentance?  Would we be willing to endure shame, suffering or even death for snubbing the Lord’s call of repentance? 

The moment we repent a huge burden would immediately be removed from our hearts and conscience. We will feel light and peaceful and our seamless connection with Jesus will immediately be restored. But many of us refuse to repent we instead prefer to be slaves of sin. Many of us prefer to embrace the devil rather than God.   

Jesus in our gospel for today is calling us to repent from all of our sins. This means that we would be willing to walk away from any sinful actions and thoughts. We would completely walk away from anyone who makes us sin and who influence us to sin. And we would be willing to submit ourselves to the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Reflection for Saturday March 19, Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity): Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. 

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

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Reflection:

Do you agree that Joseph is a man who listens to the voice of God? 

Today is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph the Humble, Righteous and Godly husband of Mary. When Joseph discovered that Mary was carrying a child prior to their living together, Joseph decided to quietly divorce Mary. 

However, an angel of the Lord spoke to him in his dream and through the angel Joseph listened to the Lord. Thus, it averted their divorce and the punishing predicament that Mary would have undergone.    

In our modern and high-tech times right now many marriages are falling apart. This is for the reason that we easily judge, we allow our inflated egos and anger to get the better of us. For the reason of our ego, unforgiveness and judgmental mindset we have no time to listen to the voice of God.  

The voice of God who always tells us to be forgiving as He has forgiven us and not to be judgmental for He does not judge us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para Sabado Marso 19 San Jose, Kabiyak ng Puso ng Mahal na Birhen (Dakilang Kapistahan): Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 1:16, 18-21, 24a

16 Si Jacob ang ama ni Jose – ang asawa ni Maria na siyang pinagmulan ni Jesus na tinawag na Kristo. 

18 Ganito ipinanganak si Jesucristo. Ipinag­kasundo na kay Jose ang kanyang inang si Maria pero bago sila nagsama bilang mag-asawa, nagdadalantao na siya gawa ng Espiritu Santo. 19 Kaya binalak ni Jose na hiwalayan nang lihim ang kanyang asawa. Matuwid nga siya at ayaw niya itong mapahiya.  

20 Habang iniisip-isip niya ito, napa­kita sa kanya sa panaginip ang Anghel ng Panginoon at sinabi: “Jose, anak ni David, huwag kang matakot na tang­ga­pin si Maria bilang iyong asawa. Gawa ng Espi­ritu Santo kaya siya naglihi, 21 at ma­nga­nganak siya ng isang sanggol na lalaki, na panga­ngalanan mong Jesus sapagkat siya ang magliligtas sa kanyang samba­yanan mula sa kanilang mga kasa­lanan.”   24 Kaya pagka¬gising ni Jose, ginawa niya ang sinabi ng Anghel ng Panginoon at tinanggap niya ang kanyang asawa.

Reflection for March 18, 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 of the landowner they instead kept to themselves what was supposed to be the landowner’s share. 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 more that we are greedy the more that we hasten our self-destruction. The more that we are greedy the more that we alienate ourselves not only from the love of God but from the love and respect of our fellowmen as well.  

So, what is the cure for our greed? The cure is generosity! If we are always generous we would not run out of things to give. We also free ourselves from the curse of greed which had destroyed so many already.  What is with material things that we are so greedy of it? Can it bring us closer to Jesus? Can we bring it to our graves when we die?  

If the tenants in our gospel generously gave what was for the landowner. They could have continued their tenants and landowner relationship. They could have experienced prosperity, peace and they could have avoided destruction. – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 18 Biyernes sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 21:33-43, 45-46

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 21:33-43, 45-46

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga punong pari at matatanda ng mga Judio 33 Makinig kayo sa isa pang halim­ba­wa: May isang may-ari ng bahay na nag­tanim ng ubasan; binakuran ang paligid nito, humukay para sa pisaan ng ubas, at nagtayo ng toreng bantayan. Pina­upahan niya ang ubasan sa mga magsa­saka at naglakbay sa ma­layo. 

34 Nang malapit na ang panahon ng anihan, pina­punta ng may-ari ang kanyang mga katu­long sa mga mag­sasaka para kubrahin ang kanyang bahagi sa ani. 35 Ngunit si­nung­gaban ng mga magsasaka ang kanyang mga katulong, binugbog ang isa, pinatay ang iba at binato ang ilan.  36 Nagpadala uli ang may-ari ng ma­rami pang katulong pero ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga magsasaka sa kanila. 

37 Sa bandang huli, ipinadala na rin niya ang kanyang anak sa pag-aaka­lang ‘Igagalang nila ang aking anak.’ 38 Ngunit nang makita ng mga magsa­saka ang anak, inisip nilang ‘Ito ang taga­pag­mana. Patayin natin siya at mapapasaatin ang kanyang mana.’ 39 Kaya sinunggaban nila siya, at pina­layas sa ubasan at pinatay.  

40 Ngayon, pagdating ng may-ari ng ubasan, ano ang gagawin niya sa mga magsasaka?” 41 Sinabi nila sa kan­ya: “Hindi niya kaaawaan ang masasamang taong iyon; pupuksain niya ang mga iyon at pauupahan ang ubasan sa ibang magsasakang magbibigay ng kanyang kaparte sa anihan.”   

42 At sumagot si Jesus: “Hindi ba ninyo nabasa sa Kasu­latan? ‘Naging panulu­kang bato ang tinanggihan ng mga taga­pagtayo. Gawa ito ng Pangi­noon; at ka­hanga-hanga ang ating nakita.’ 43 Kaya sinasabi ko sa inyo: aagawin sa inyo ang kaharian ng Diyos at ibibigay sa isang bayang makapag­papalago nito.   

45 Nang marinig ng mga punong-pari at mga Pariseo ang mga talin­hagang ito, naunawaan nila na sila ang pinatutungkulan ni Jesus. 46 Huhulihin na sana nila siya ngunit natakot sila sa mga tao na kumikilala sa kanya bilang propeta. 

1Reflection for March 17, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 16:19-31

Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’  

Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours. He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them lest they too come to this place of torment.  

But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. Then Abraham said ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.

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Reflection:

A dying rich woman had a dream about Jesus asking her if she wants to be in heaven when she dies. The dying woman said: “Yes my Lord I want to be in heaven when I die.” Then, Jesus asked her again: “Would you be willing to give your treasures to the poor?” The woman replied, “Yes my Lord I will give all I have to the poor.” So she donated all her treasures to the poor. After a few days the woman died and true enough her soul was immediately welcomed by the Lord in heaven.     

Does the poor have a purpose in the life of the rich? Yes they have! The poor closes the gap between the rich and God, the poor brings God closer to the rich for the poor is very much loved by God. Jesus himself said that whatever we do to the poor we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40).  

We have in our gospel the characters of the nameless rich man and the poor man Lazarus. The nameless rich man is insensitive to the needs of the poor man Lazarus. Why? Because the rich man perceived Lazarus as good for nothing, Lazarus will simply disturb him.  

What if the rich man knew beforehand that at the back of his door stands God in disguise in the person of the poor man Lazarus? Who unceasingly knocks to bring him more blessings and to save him from going to hell? He would have immediately opened his door and give Lazarus every precious things and every royal treatment that he could give him.  

But the rich man never recognized the presence of God in Lazarus, he instead indifferently continued with his insensitive behavior.  

How can we connect this gospel to our own personal lives? We see and encounter the materially and spiritually poor almost everyday. Are we doing something to fill their empty stomachs and spirits? – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 17 Huwebes sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Lucas 16:19-31

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 16:19-31

Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga pariseo 19 May isang mayaman na naka­bihis ng magarang damit at pinong linen at parang piyesta ang kanyang buhay sa araw-araw. 20 Na­ka­handusay naman sa may pintuan niya ang isang dukhang nag­ngangalang Lazaro. Tadtad siya ng mga sugat 21 at gusto sana niyang ka­inin ang mumong nahuhulog sa hapag ng mayaman; sa halip ay mga aso ang luma­lapit sa kanya at hinihi­muran ang kanyang mga sugat.   

22 At na­matay ang dukha at dinala siya ng mga anghel sa piling ni Abraham. Na­matay rin na­man ang maya­man at ini­libing. 23 Nang nasa impiyerno na siya, tumingala siya sa kanyang pagdurusa at natanaw sa malayo si Abra­ham at si Lazaro sa piling nito. 24 Kaya sumigaw siya: ‘Amang Abraham, maawa ka sa akin at utusan mo naman si Lazaro na isawsaw niya sa tubig ang dulo ng kan­yang daliri para paginhawahin ang aking dila dahil lubha akong naghi­hirap sa la­gablab na ito.’   

25 Sumagot si Abraham: ‘Anak, alala­hanin mong tinanggap mo na sa buhay mo ang ma­buti sa iyo at kay Lazaro na­man ang masasama. Kaya siya ngayon ang nasa ginhawa at ikaw ang nagdu­rusa. 26 At isa pa’y malawak na kabundukang di matatawid ang itinakda sa pagitan natin. Kaya hindi makatatawid ang mga may gustong pumunta riyan galing dito, at hindi rin naman makatatawid ang mula riyan papunta rito.’   

27 Sumagot ang mayaman: ‘Kaya ipina­kiki­usap ko sa iyo, Ama, na pa­puntahin mo si La­zaro sa bahay ng aking ama, 28 kung saan na­roon ang lima kong kapatid para babalaan sila upang di sila mapunta sa lugar na ito ng pagdu­rusa.’ 29 Sumagot si Abraham: ‘Nasa kanila si Moises at ang mga propeta, makinig sila sa mga ito.’ 30 Sinabi niya: ‘Hindi gayon, Amang Abraham; kung isa sa mga patay ang pupunta sa kanila, mag­si­sisi sila.’   

31 Sinabi ni Abraham: ‘Kung hindi   nila paki­kinggan si Moises at ang mga propeta, buma­ngon man ang isa sa   mga patay ay hindi pa rin sila mani­niwala’.”

Reflection for March 16, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 20:17-28

Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”  

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”  

They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt.  

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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Reflection:

What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus? Obviously it’s not our title/s or any worldly appendages. What makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus is our readiness to humbly serve without seeking any recognition in return. This is what makes us worthy in the eyes of Jesus.  

Why do we follow Jesus in the first place? Is it for us to be exalted in the community where we belong? Is it for us to have influence? Do we make Jesus happy when we use Him for us to be exalted and influential? Of course not! But this is where we always fall! We use Jesus as our springboard for us to be exalted and respected.  

Can’t we simply fade away in silence after we’ve served our church or after we’ve done good to our fellowmen? Can’t we simply fade away and let our gentle and merciful God be in front so that He could attract more believers?  

Many of us are afraid to be humble because we perceive humility as weakness. But truth be told, our humility is powerful very powerful that it creates endless echoes in the hearts of those who see it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 16 Miyerkules sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 20:17-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:17-28

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

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

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

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

1Reflection for March 15, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent: Matthew 23:1-12

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.  

All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.  

Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

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Reflection:

Are you a true follower of Jesus? 

A true follower of Jesus is someone who is simple. He doesn’t   think highly of himself neither he isolates himself in an ivory tower so that others would look up to him. A follower mingles and interacts with the people, he doesn’t throw judgment on anyone regardless who they may be.  

A true follower lives and breathes humility, its part and parcel of his way of life. How then can we be humble, how then can we live and breathe humility and how then can we make it our way of life? We always have to do things with the end in mind that everything that we do we do for the greater glory of God. We don’t do things for our own glory or glorification, we don’t do things for us to be praised to high heavens.  

Many of the Pharisees during Jesus time had a mentality of superiority perhaps this was because they were the ruling power. They love to give commands, they love to be looked up to and they crave for prominence and respect. Servanthood and humility were farthest from their minds.   

From time to time we need to ask ourselves, Am I a true follower of Jesus? Or I’m becoming more like the Pharisees who always seek prominence, honor and attention. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Marso 15 Martes sa Ika-2 Linggo ng Apatnapung Araw na Paghahanda: Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

1 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad: 2 “Ang mga guro ng Batas at mga Pariseo ang umupo sa puwesto ni Moises. 3 Pakinggan at gawin ang lahat nilang sinasabi pero huwag silang pamarisan, sapagkat nagsasalita sila pero hindi naman ginagawa. 4 Naghahanda sila ng mabibigat na pasanin at ipi­napatong sa mga balikat ng mga tao. Ngunit hindi nila ikinikilos ni isang daliri para galawin ang mga iyon.  

5 Pakitang-tao lamang ang lahat nilang ginagawa; dahil dito, mala­lapad na laso ng Kasulatan ang gusto nila para sa kanilang noo, at maha­habang pala­wit sa kanilang bala­bal. 6 Gusto nilang mabigyan ng pangu­nahing lugar o upuan sa mga pi­ging at sa sina­goga. 7 Ikina­tutuwa rin nilang mabati sa mga liwasan at matawag na guro ng mga tao.  

8 Huwag kayong patawag na guro sa­pagkat iisa lamang ang Guro ninyo at magkakapatid kayong lahat. 9 Huwag din ninyong tawaging ama ang sinuman sa mundo sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Ama, siya na nasa Langit. 10 Huwag din kayong patawag na gabay sapagkat iisa lamang ang inyong Pat­nubay, si Kristo. 11 Maging alipin ninyo ang pinakadakila sa inyo. 12 Sapagkat ibababa ang nag­papa­ka­taas at itataas ang nagpa­paka­baba.

Reflection for March 14, Monday of the Second Week of Lent: Luke 6:36-38

Gospel: Luke 6:36-38  

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

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Reflection:

Are you merciful, forgiving and not quick to judge?  

Jesus gives us precious lesson about being merciful because He is always merciful to us. No matter how sinful we are His unfathomable mercy is always there before us.  

Jesus gives us lesson about being judgmental: We are not to judge because we are to be judged too. On hindsight who are we to judge our fellowmen? We are but a speck in this world and we are sinners as well. Do we judge because we are moneyed, more educated and more powerful?  

Jesus tells us not to condemn, instead of condemning, why not motivate and be an instrument of healing and conversion? We may not know this but our words are very powerful if we are quick to condemn. We might push to the brink of desperation those that we condemn and the result may be tragic.  

On forgiveness, Jesus tells us to always be forgiving.  Why are there people who cannot forgive? Perhaps the love of Jesus is not yet in their hearts, when we don’t forgive we are only punishing ourselves with undeserved burden. So, we have to let go of our anger and unforgiveness, we have to forgive and leave everything to our merciful God.  

On giving, Jesus tells us to give from our hearts not from our excess because many of us give for the reason that we don’t need it anymore. Let us give from our hearts because whatever we freely give will be ploughed back to us a hundredfold.    

Let us reflect on these priceless insights from Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas