Reflection for September 18, Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:4-15

Gospel: Luke 8:4-15

4 When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to him, he spoke in a parable. 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear. 

9 Then his disciples asked him what the meaning of this parable might be. 10 He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that ‘they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.’ 

11 “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. 12 Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of trial. 

14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. 15 But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.

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Reflection:

How do you receive the word of God? For example when you read the words of Jesus in  the bible, do you reflect upon it, discern it and then share it? Or you just read it and then it ends there nothing eventful happened with your reading of the words of God. 

How do you react when you hear the words of God proclaimed during Holy Mass? Do you allow yourself to be moved by it? That it immediately stirs you to do good and live your faith so that you can make a positive Impact on the lives of your fellowmen? 

Jesus words is the seeds that He plants in our hearts and Jesus expectation is always for us to be fruit bearing followers. Where others can learn about Jesus and our faith from us. We must not allow ourselves to become followers in name only who simply absorb the words of God and do nothing.

Therefore, we have to share the words of Jesus. Never mind the time and money that we would be using for doing it. For Jesus will give back to us a hundredfold whatever time and treasure that we invest for the propagation of His teachings. - Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Sabado sa Ika-24 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 8:4-15

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:4-15

4 Napakakapal na tao ang nagkakati­pon dahil pinupuntahan si Jesus ng mga tao mula sa kani-kanilang mga ba­yan. Kaya nagsalita siya sa talinhaga: 5 “Lumabas ang manghahasik para maghasik ng kanyang binhi. Sa kanyang paghahasik, may ilang butong nahulog sa tabi ng daan at tinapak-­tapakan at kinain ng mga ibon sa langit. 

6 Nahulog ang iba sa batuhan, at nang sumibol ay nalanta dahil sa kawalan ng halumigmig. 7 Nahulog ang iba pang buto sa gitna ng tinikan, at sa sabay nilang paglaki, sinikil ito ng mga tinik. 8 Nahulog naman ang iba pa sa matabang lupa at nang sumibol ay nagbunga nang tig-iisang daan.” Pag­kasabi nito’y sumigaw siya: “Makinig ang may tainga.”  

9 At tinanong siya ng kanyang mga alagad kung ano ang kahulugan ng talin­­hagang ito. 10 Kayat sinabi niya: “Sa inyo ipinagkaloob na malaman ang mga lihim ng kaharian ng Diyos, at sa iba nama’y sa mga talinhaga lamang para tumingin sila at hindi makakita, makinig at hindi makaunawa.  

11 Ito ang kahulugan ng talinhaga. Ang binhi ay ang salita ng Diyos. 12 Ang mga nasa tabi ng daan ay ang mga naka­karinig nito pero agad namang dumarating ang diyablo; inaagaw niya ang salita mula sa kanilang isipan upang huwag silang ma­nalig at malig­tas. 13 Ang mga nasa batu­han ay ang mga nakaka­rinig na masayang tinatanggap ang salita. Ngunit wala silang ugat kaya sandali silang nananalig at tumitiwalag naman sa panahon ng tukso. 

14 Ang na­hulog naman sa mga tini­kan ay ang mga nakakarinig ngunit sa pagpapatuloy nila’y sinikil ng mga kabalisahan, ng kayamanan at ng mga kasiyahan sa buhay kaya hindi sila nakapagbunga. 15 Ang nahulog naman sa matabang lupa ay ang mga naka­karinig sa salita at iniingatan ito nang may dakila’t mabuting loob at nagbubunga sila sa kanilang pagti­tiyaga.

Reflection for September 17, Friday the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 8:1-3

Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. 

Accompanying him were the twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.

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Reflection:

Do you want to follow Jesus? 

As an itinerant preacher and healer Jesus was always with a group of people: they were His followers and perhaps His logistical support system as well. They were always there for Jesus ever ready to help and support Him in whatever way possible. 

Who does Jesus represents today? It’s anybody who humbly, effectively and truthfully proclaims the teachings of Jesus. He could be your friend, he could be your father, mother, brother, priest, pastor and anyone who faithfully follows Jesus.   

Anyone of us can follow Jesus nobody in fact is being prevented to follow Him. Why? Because when you decide to follow Jesus your life will begin to have a direction. Your perspective about life will change as well! This is the miracle that occurs when someone decides to follow the Lord. 

You will also be cured of anything that ails your most especially ailments about your mind, spirit and emotion. This is the miracle that occurs when a person decides to faithfully follow Jesus. 

Would you faithfully follow the the Lord? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Biyernes sa Ika-24 na Linggo ng Taon: Lucas 8:1-3

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 8:1-3

1Naglibot si Jesus sa bawat lunsod at bayan na nangangaral at ibinabalita ang kaharian ng Diyos. 

Kasama niya ang Labindalawa 2 at ilang mga babae na pina-galing sa masasamang espiritu at mga karamdaman: si Maria na tinaguriang Magdalena, na nilisan ng pitong demonyo, 3 si Juana na asawa ni Kusa na katiwala ni Herodes, at si Susana at iba pang naglilingkod sa kanila mula sa kanilang kaya.       

Reflection for September 16, Thursday Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Saint Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (M): Luke 7:36-50

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee’s home, and as usual reclined at the table to eat. 37 And it happened that, a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and stood behind him, at his feet, weeping. 

She wet his feet with tears; she dried them with her hair; she kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. 39 The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching, and thought, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn’t this woman a sinner?” 

40 Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said, “Simon, I have something to ask you.” He answered, “Speak, master.” And Jesus said, 41 “Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. 

Now, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more.” And Jesus said, “You are right.” 44 And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? 45 You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house; but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 

You didn’t welcome me with a kiss; but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. 46 You provided no oil for my head; but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love.” 

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The others reclining with him at the table began to wonder, “Now this man claims to forgive sins!” 50 But Jesus again spoke to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace!”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a big time sinner who was contemplating of ending her life. When she was about to take the drugs that would end it all. She suddenly remembered what he read about the infinite love of Jesus. That Jesus loves her dearly no matter who she is and no matter how grave the sins that she committed. 

After that enlightened episode in her life she decided to go to the Sacrament of Confession so that she could be reconciled once again with Jesus and be cleaned from all of her sinfulness.  

Aside from Jesus when have two very interesting characters in the gospel. One is a Pharisee named Simon and the other one is an unidentified woman who was labeled as a sinner. Simon is the self-righteous Pharisee who thinks of himself as a non-sinner. Hence, he detested the woman who humbly went to Jesus begging for forgiveness of her many sins. Did this woman know that Jesus would listen to her plea for forgiveness? Did this woman know that Jesus would give a portion of His precious time for her? 

Yes this woman knew that Jesus would listen to her appeal of forgiveness and yes this woman knew that Jesus will give not only a portion of His precious time but even all of His time so that He could listen to her. 

Many of us do not care to submit ourselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession because we have the same mindset with Simon the Pharisee. We are self-righteous and we are quick to judge our fellowmen’s sinfulness but we conveniently forget our own sinfulness. 

But truth be told, nobody is free from sin amongst us for we are all sinful. So what are we going to do? We have to be like the woman who recognized her own sinfulness. The same woman who went to Jesus with an alabaster jar of perfume to pour it on His feet. And the same woman who was so filled with repentance thus she wept unabashedly before Jesus. – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Huwebes Setyembre 16 San Cornelio, papa at San Cipriano, Obispo, mga martir (Paggunita) Lucas 7:36-50

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:36-50

36 Inanyayahan si Jesus ng isa sa mga Pariseo na makisalo sa kanya kaya pumasok siya sa bahay ng Pariseo at humilig sa sopa para kumain. 37 Nga­yon, may isang babae sa bayang iyon na itinuturing na makasalanan. Nang malaman nitong si Jesus ay nasa hapag sa bahay ng Pariseo, nagdala ito ng paba­ngong nasa sisidlang alabastro. 38 Tumayo siya sa likuran, sa may paa­nan ni Jesus at umiyak. Tumulo ang kanyang mga luha sa mga paa ni Jesus at pinunasan niya ng kanyang buhok, at hinagkan at pinahiran ng pabango. 

39 Nang makita ito ng Pariseong ku­mumbida sa kanya, naisip nito: “Kung propeta ang taong ito, malalaman niya kung sino ang babaeng ito at anong uri ng tao ang humihipo sa kanya – isa ngang makasalanan!” 40 Ngunit nagsalita sa kanya si Jesus: “Simon, may sasabihin ako sa iyo.” Su­magot ito: “Guro, magsalita ka.” 41 At si­nabi niya: “May dalawang may utang sa isang taong nagpapautang. Limandaang salaping pilak ang utang ng isa at limam­pu naman ang sa isa pa. 42 Ngu­nit wala silang maibayad kaya kapwa niya sila pina­tawad. Ngayon, sino sa kanila ang magmamahal sa kanya nang higit?” 

43 Sumagot si Simon: “Sa palagay ko’y ang pinatawad niya ng mas malaki.” At sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus: “Tama ang hatol mo.” 44 At paglingon niya sa babae, sinabi niya kay Simon: “Nakikita mo ba ang babaeng ito? Pumasok ako sa iyong bahay at hindi mo ako binigyan ng tubig para sa aking mga paa ngunit binasa niya ng kanyang luha ang aking mga paa at pinunasan ito ng kanyang buhok. 45 Hindi mo ako hinagkan ngunit mula nang pumasok siya’y wala nang tigil ang kahahalik     niya sa aking mga paa. 46 Hindi mo pi­na­­hiran ng langis ang aking ulo ngunit binu­husan niya ng paba­ngo ang aking mga paa. 47 Kaya sinasabi ko sa iyo, pina­ta­tawad na ang ma­rami niyang kasa­lanan dahil nagmahal siya nang ma­laki. Ngunit nagmamahal lamang nang kaunti ang pinatatawad nang kaunti.” 

48 At sinabi naman ni Jesus sa babae: “Pinatatawad ang iyong mga kasala­nan.” 49 At nagsimulang mag-isip ang mga nasa hapag: “At nangangahas ang taong ito na magpatawad ng mga kasalanan!” 50 Ngunit sinabi ni Jesus sa babae: “Iniligtas ka ng iyong pananampalataya; humayo ka sa kapayapaan.”

Reflection for September 15, Wednesday Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows: John 19:25-27

Gospel: John 19:25-27

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

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Reflection:

Have you feel sorrow in your life?

The Blessed Mother felt it deep in her immaculate heart. It started when Simeon told her that her son will be a sign of contradiction and her soul would be pierced by a sword (Luke 1:34-35). Then it culminated to the point where we are now in our gospel. 

We cannot fathom how the Blessed Mother felt during that time when she was at the foot of the cross looking up to her badly bruised and dying son Jesus. Nonetheless, even if she was deep in her sorrow she still found courage and strength in her son. For she obeyed what Jesus told her that from thereon she would treat John as her son that’s why she went to the house of John and stayed there. 

Do you always find strength and courage in Jesus especially during the sorrowful moments of your life? Do you always ask the Blessed Mother to pray for you to make your faith in Jesus as strong as hers? 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus in the midst of my sorrows, trials and sufferings I pray to you to give me the strength and courage to face whatever sorrows I may go through. Give me the same strength and courage that you gave the Blessed Mother when she was sorrowfully looking up to you at the foot of the cross. 

Please continue to strengthen me Dear Lord Jesus, give me the gift to trust you more than I trust myself.  Amen. - Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Miyerkules Setyembre 15 Mahal na Birheng Nagdadalamhati (Paggunita) Juan 19:25-27

Mabuting Balita: Juan 19:25-27

25 Nangakatayo naman sa tabi ng krus ni Jesus ang kanyang ina at ang kapatid na babae ng kanyang ina, si Maria ni Cleofas at si Maria Magdalena. 

26 Kaya pagkakita ni Jesus sa ina at sa alagad na mahal niya na nakatayo sa tabi, sinabi niya sa Ina: “Babae, hayan ang anak mo!” 27 pagkatapos ay sinabi naman niya sa alagad: “Hayan ang iyong ina.” At mula sa oras na iyon, tinanggap siya ng alagad sa kanyang tahanan.   

Reflection for September 14, Tuesday Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: John 3:13-17

Gospel: John 3:13-17

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

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Reflection:

Do you know the story of the true cross of Jesus?

After the death of Jesus there was an intense persecution of Christians. But during the year 312 AD the church entered a new era and that was when Constantine I, adopted the Christian faith and became the first Christian Emperor of Rome. One of his first edict was to stop the persecution of Christians.

It was said that Constantine I, deputized his mother Helena to gather Christian relics. So she travelled to the Holy Land, while there she discovered the three crosses used during the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves (Dismas and Gestas).

Since there were three crosses her dilemma was to find the real cross of Jesus. So she called on the sick people of the community and let them touch each of the three crosses. Among the three there was one that stood out, because it instantly healed those who touched it. Helena declared it to be the true cross of Jesus.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, unlike other Christians whose cross is without Jesus. Our cross is never complete without Jesus on it.

Often times, our cross symbolizes the burdens that we carry. A young mother who was asked, who is your cross and she instantaneously replied: “It’s my irresponsible husband because he is always with his friends indulging in drinking sprees and whenever he arrives he subjects me to physical and emotional abuse.”

Each and everyone of us has our own cross that makes life difficult for us. Sometimes we may even say: why is it that the more that I go near Jesus the heavier the cross that I carry? The cross that we carry is a test of our faith, we would not be able to fully comprehend the presence of Jesus in our lives without silently carrying and enduring our own cross.

What is important is whenever we carry our cross we invite Jesus to help us carry it and implore Him to journey with us with our cross. Let us not question why we have our cross because the cross that burdens us right now is nothing compared to the cross of Jesus.

The paradox of it all is this: The cross that has given Jesus tons of sufferings became the catalyst in the completion of His mission. This cross is also the symbol of our salvation so long as we believe and look up to Jesus who died for us on the cross. There is no exaltation of the cross without the salvific sacrifice of Jesus.

Are you carrying your own cross or do you have a cross right now? A cross that makes life so difficult for you? Look up to Jesus then close your eyes and humbly ask Him to help you carry it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas     

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Martes Setyembre 14 Ang pagtatampok sa Krus na Banal (Kapistahan) Juan 3:13-17

Mabuting Balita: Juan 3:13-17

Sinabi ni Jesus kay Nicodemo: 13 Walang umakyat sa langit maliban sa bumaba mula sa langit – ang Anak ng Tao. 14 At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang ahas sa disyerto, gayundin dapat itaas ang Anak ng Tao 15 upang magkaroon ng buhay magpakailanman ang bawat nananalig sa kanya.  

16 Ganito nga kamahal ng Diyos ang mundo! Kayat ibinigay niya ang kanyang bugtong na anak upang hindi na mawala ang bawat nananalig sa kanya kundi magkaroon ng buhay magpakailanman. 17 Hindi nga sinugo ng Diyos sa mundo ang Anak upang hukuman ang mundo kundi upang maligtas ang mundo sa pamamagitan niya.  

Reflection for September 13, Monday St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church: Luke 7:1-10

Gospel: Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 

They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

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Reflection:

Do you have concern for the poor and powerless? The concern of the military officer/centurion  for his slave is very admirable. We must emulate his worthy action of giving concern most especially to those who are poor and powerless. 

What if the officer was heartless? There would have been no healing for the slave. By his act of concern his slave was healed by Jesus. We often times lose sight of the fact that we need to be concerned as well with the wellbeing of others especially those who are powerless and poor. 

The me first attitude often times envelope us already thus we fail to see the many needs of our fellowmen most especially the poor and powerless. Why? For the simple reason that we are already overly fixated with our own needs.   

We would reap enormous spiritual blessings if only we would find time to help those who are poor and powerless. Thus, we would be closer to Jesus who loves the poor dearly. And we will find true joy and fulfillment the moment we begin to help them. -  Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para sa Lunes Setyembre 13 San Juan Chrisostomo, Obispo at pantas ng Iglesya (Paggunita): Lucas 7:1-10

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 7:1-10

1 Matapos ituro ni Jesus ang mga ito sa mga tao, pumasok siya sa Capernaum. 2 May isang kapitan na may katulong na naghihingalo at pinahahalagahan niya ito. 3 Pagkarinig niya tungkol kay Jesus, nagpapunta siya sa kanya ng mga Matatanda ng mga Judio para pa­ki­usapang pumunta at pagalingin ang kanyang ka­tulong. 4 Pagdating ng mga ito kay Jesus, taimtim nila siyang pinakiusapan: “Marapat lamang na pag­big­yan mo siya; 5 mahal nga niya ang ating bayan at siya ang nag­patayo ng aming sinagoga.” 

6 Kaya kasama nilang pumunta si Jesus. Nang hindi na siya kalayuan sa bahay, nagpapunta naman sa kanya ng mga kaibigan ang kapitan para sa­bihin: “Ginoo, huwag ka nang mag-abala pa; hindi nga siguro ako karapat-dapat para tumuloy ka sa aking bahay. 7 Kaya hindi ko man lang inakalang nararapat akong lumapit sa iyo. Mag-utos ka lang at ga­galing na ang aking katulong. 8 Mababa nga lang ang ranggo ko pero may mga sundalo sa ilalim ko. At kung iutos ko sa isa, ‘Umalis ka,’ uma­alis siya; at sa iba naman, ‘Halika,’ at puma­parito siya. At pag sinabi kong ‘Gawin mo ito,’ sa aking katulong, gina­gawa nga niya ito.” 

9 Humanga si Jesus pagkarinig niya nito. Lumingon siya sa mga sumusunod sa kanya at sinabi: “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, sa Israel ma’y hindi ko natagpuan ang ganitong pananalig!” 10 At nang magbalik sa bahay ang mga sinugo, natagpuan nilang magaling na ang katulong.

Reflection for Sunday September 12, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 8:27-35

Gospel: Mark 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”   

Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

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Reflection:

A man was given a choice to stay with his family or to work in a faraway place so that he can fulfill his lifelong ambition to be rich. Without much thought this man chose the option to be rich rather than be with his family. 

Are you ready to sacrifice your personal ambition so that Jesus teachings could continue to spread? For example would you give up your worldly life to do something for the greater glory of God? 

Perhaps you will not give up your worldly life for a life of sacrifice with Jesus. Who would give up a life of ease and comfort in this world in favor of a life with Jesus? Maybe only a few because in truth and in fact to follow Jesus is not easy. 

But we were not brought into this world by God to become citizens of this world. God brought us into this world so that we could do something to partake with the mission of His son Jesus. This is the desire of God for each and every one of us: To help Jesus spread His mission. 

The time will come that we will become old and we surely will look back about how we lived our lives. And during that reflection we will discover that we lived a worthy, meaningful and fulfilled life because we chose to devote our lives for the mission of Jesus. 

Thus, we have to be ready to carry our own cross for Christ no matter how heavy it may be. We have to be ready to lose our life in this world so that we could find its real purpose and meaning with Jesus.  – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita at Repleksyon para sa Linggo September 12 Ika-24 na Linggo sa Karaniwang Panahon: Marcos 8:27-35

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 8:27-35

27 At pumunta si Jesus kasama ang kanyang mga alagad sa mga nayon ng Cesarea ni Filipo. At habang nasa daa’y tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad: “Sino raw ako ayon sa mga tao?” 28 Su­magot sila: “May nag­sa­sa­bing si Juan Bautista ka; may iba pang nagsasabing si Elias ka o isa sa mga propeta kaya.” 

29 At tinanong niya sila: “Ngunit ano naman ang sinasabi ninyo kung sino ako?” At sumagot si Pedro: “Ikaw ang Mesiyas.” 30 At inutusan niya sila na huwag sabihin kaninuman ang tungkol sa kanya. 

31 At sinimulan niyang ituro sa kanila na kailangang magtiis ng marami ang Anak ng Tao. Itatakwil nga siya ng mga Mata­tanda ng bayan, ng mga punong-pari at ng mga guro ng Batas. Papa­tayin siya at muling babangon pagka­tapos ng tatlong araw. 32 At buong-­tapang siyang nag­salita. Dinala naman siya ni Pedro sa isang tabi at sinimulan siyang pagsa­bihan. 33 Ngunit pagtalikod ni Jesus, nakita niya na naroon din ang kanyang mga alagad. Kaya pinagsabihan niya si Pedro: “Sa likod ko, Satanas! Hindi sa Diyos galing ang iniisip mo kundi mula sa tao.” 

34 At tinawag ni Jesus ang kanyang mga alagad pati ang mga tao, at sinabi: “Kung may gustong sumunod sa akin, itakwil ang kanyang sarili at kunin ang kanyang krus para sumunod sa akin. 35 Sapagkat ang naghahangad na magligtas ng kanyang sarili ay mawa­walan nito, at ang mawawalan ng sarili alang-alang      sa akin at sa ebang­helyo ang magliligtas nito.