Reflection for February 28, 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:

The story is told about a woman who wanted to serve in their parish church as a catechist. So she went to the church and had a conversation with the parish priest about her desire. The priest told her, would you be willing to do volunteer work without expecting anything in return?  And the woman said yes, from thereon she volunteered her time in the service for the church without expecting anything in return.  

In the gospel we read about a woman who is acting like a stage mother for her two sons to be seated at the right and left side of the Lord. She was asking for the grandest position for her two sons but Jesus said to her: “You do not know what you are asking for.” (Matthew 20:22)  

Do you also sometimes aspire for the grandest position in your church, in your community and in your workplace? Do not aspire for those lofty positions let it come to you instead. How would it come to you without aspiring for it? It will just be at your doorstep when you work hard without expecting anything in return.  

The most gratifying rewards that will come to you are those that you don’t expect. These kinds of rewards come from the Lord and are born out of your humble. selfless and tireless work. – Marino J. Dasmarinas                  

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 28, Miyerkules sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 20:17-28

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 20:17-28

Noong panahong iyon, nang nasa daan na si Hesus patungong Jerusalem, ibinukod niya ang Labindalawa. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Aakyat tayo sa Jerusalem. Doo’y ipagkakanulo sa mga punong saserdote at sa mga eskriba ang Anak ng Tao. Hahatulan siya ng kamatayan, at ibibigay sa mga Hentil. Siya’y tutuyain, hahagupitin at ipapako sa krus; ngunit muli siyang bubuhayin sa ikatlong araw.”  

Lumapit kay Hesus ang asawa ni Zebedeo, kasama ang kanyang mga anak. May ibig siyang hilingin, kaya’t lumuhod siya sa harapan ni Hesus. “Ano ang ibig mo?” tanong ni Hesus. Sumagot siya, “Sana’y ipagkaloob ninyo sa dalawa kong anak na ito ang karapatan na makaupong katabi ninyo sa inyong kaharian – isa sa kanan at isa sa kaliwa.”  

“Hindi ninyo nalalaman ang inyong hinihingi,” sabi ni Hesus sa kanila. “Makakainom ba kayo sa kopa ng hirap ko?” “Opo”, tugon nila. Sinabi ni Hesus “Ang kopa ng hirap ko ay maiinom nga ninyo. Ngunit wala sa akin ang pagpapasiya kung sino ang mauupo sa aking kanan at sa aking kaliwa. Ang mga luklukang sinasabi ninyo’y para sa mga pinaghandaan ng aking Ama.” Nang marinig ito ng sampung alagad, nagalit sila sa magkapatid.  

Kaya’t pinalapit sila ni Hesus at sinabi sa kanila, “Alam ninyo na ang mga pinuno ng mga Hentil ay naghahari sa kanila, at ang mga dinadakila ang siyang nasusunod. Ngunit hindi ganyan ang dapat na umiral sa inyo. Sa halip, ang sinuman sa inyo na ibig maging dakila ay dapat maging lingkod. Ang sinumang ibig maging pinuno ay dapat maging alipin ninyo, tulad ng Anak ng Tao na naparito, hindi upang paglingkuran kundi upang maglingkod at ialay ang kanyang buhay upang matubos ang marami.”

Reflection for February 27, 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, because it is part and parcel of their 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 am I becoming more like the Pharisees who always seek prominence, honor, and attention? – Marino J. Dasmarinas  

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 27, Martes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 23:1-12

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 23:1-12

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tao at sa kanyang mga alagad, "Ang mga eskriba at ang mga Pariseo ang kinikilalang tagapagpaliwanag ng Kautusan ni Moises. Kaya't gawin ninyo ang itinuturo nila at sundin ang kanilang iniuutos. Ngunit huwag ninyong tularan ang kanilang gawa, sapagkat hindi nila isinasagawa ang kanilang ipinangangaral. 

Nagbibigkis sila ng mabibigat na dalahin at ipinapasan sa mga tao; ngunit ni daliri ay ayaw nilang igalaw upang tumulong sa pagdadala ng mga iyon. Pawang pakitang-tao ang kanilang mga gawa, Nilalaparan nila ang kanilang mga pilakterya at hinahabaan ang palawit sa laylayan ng kanilang mga damit. Ang ibig nila'y ang mga upuang pandangal sa mga piging at ang mga tanging luklukan sa mga sinagoga. Ang ibig nila'y pagpugayan sila sa mga liwasang bayan, at tawaging guro. 

Ngunit kayo-- huwag kayong patawag na guro, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Guro, at kayong lahat ay magkakapatid. At huwag ninyong tawaging ama ang sinumang tao sa lupa, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Ama, ang Amang nasa langit. Huwag kayong patawag na tagapagturo, sapagkat iisa ang inyong Tagapagturo, ang Mesias. Ang pinakadakila sa inyo ay dapat maging lingkod ninyo. Ang nagpapakataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas."  

Reflection for February 26, Monday of the Second Week in 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:

What is the mother of mercy? Its love, we can’t be merciful if we do not know how to love. The moment we feel mercy in our hearts we already have love that we can freely dispense anytime to any person or group of persons. 

What kind of love is this that gives birth to mercy? Obviously this is not only romantic love for romantic love is a limited kind of love. The kind of love that gives birth to mercy is the perfect kind of love or the highest form of love. 

Who gives us this highest form of love? Jesus Himself gives us this kind of love. We receive this from Jesus when we are always in close contact with Him. By way of our prayer life, faithful presence at Holy Mass, through our frequent interaction with Jesus by means of the Sacraments of the Church. And by readings His life transforming and life giving words in the bible. 

Come to think of it, what happens to us if we are not merciful, if we are quick to condemn and if we don’t forgive? We allow ourselves to be imprisoned by toxic emotion/s that is brought to our feet by the devil. 

When we are always in close contact with Jesus we are always merciful. We will never condemn or judge anyone. And we will always forgive no matter how deep the hurt that has been inflicted upon us. 

Find it in your heart to follow and seek Jesus and be free from any form of hatred in your heart. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 26, Lunes sa Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Lucas 6:36-38

Mabuting Balita: Lucas 6:36-38

Noong panahong iyon sinabi ni Jesus sa kanyang mga alagad: Maging mahabagin kayo gaya ng inyong Ama." "Huwag kayong humatol, at hindi kayo hahatulan ng Diyos. Magpatawad kayo sa inyong kapwa, at patatawarin kayo ng inyong Diyos.

Magbigay kayo, at bibigyan kayo ng Diyos: hustong takal, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw pa ang ibibigay sa inyo. Sapagkat ang takalang ginagamit ninyo sa iba ay siya ring gagamitin ng Diyos sa inyo." 

Reflection for February 25, Second Sunday of Lent: Mark 9:2-10

Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

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Reflection:

What if Peter, James, and John had refused to go with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration? They would have missed the once-in-a-lifetime experience of heaven. They would have missed seeing Jesus transfigured before their very eyes. They would have missed seeing Jesus conversing with Moses and Elijah, the great prophets of the Old Testament. They would have missed the opportunity to hear the voice of God telling them, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him' (Mark 9:7).

But they did not refuse the invitation of Jesus; they simply obeyed and went with Him to the mountain of transfiguration. Thus, they had that sudden experience of heaven. And they knew from thereon that if they would only be faithful to their discipleship for the Lord, they already had their own dwelling in heaven.

Perhaps when Jesus told Peter, James, and John to go with Him onto the mountain of transfiguration, He was also testing the three of them. He was testing the strength of their faith and discipleship for Him. And they passed their test of faith, much like Abraham who also passed his own test of faith in the first reading (Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18) . 

Thus, Peter, James, and John were richly rewarded by God. Among other rewards, the three disciples experienced a foretaste of heaven. 

As long as we live in this world, we will also face our own tests of faith, coming in different forms and shapes. Let us remain faithful, no matter how hard and difficult the tests may be.

For there is always a reward for those who remain faithful. And what is the reward? Life in heaven someday with the Lord. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita para Pebrero 25, Ikalawang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Marcos 9:2-10

Mabuting Balita: Marcos 9:2-10

Noong panahong iyon, umakyat si Jesus sa isang mataas na bundok. Wala siyang isinama kundi sina Pedro, Santiago at Juan. Samantalang sila'y naroon, nakita nilang nagbagong-anyo si Jesus, nagningning ang kanyang kasuutan na naging puting-puti, anupa't walang sinumang makapagpapaputi nang gayon. 

At nakita ng tatlong alagad si Moises at si Elias, na nakikipag-usap kay Jesus. Sinabi ni Pedro kay Jesus, "Guro, mabuti pa'y dumito na tayo. Gagawa po kami ng tatlong kubol: isa sa inyo, isa kay Moises at isa kay Elias." Hindi nalalaman ni Pedro ang kanyang sinasabi sapagkat masyado ang takot niya at ng kanyang mga kasama. 

At nililiman sila ng isang alapaap at mula rito'y may tinig na nagsabi, "Ito ang minamahal kong Anak. Pakinggan ninyo siya!" Pagdaka, tumingin ang mga alagad sa paligid nila at nakitang wala na silang kasama roon kundi si Jesus.

Habang bumababa sila sa bundok ay mahigpit na itinagubilin sa kanila ni Jesus: "Huwag ninyong sasabihin kaninuman ang inyong nakita hangga't hindi muling nabubuhay ang Anak ng Tao." 

Reflection for February 24, Saturday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:43-48

Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

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Reflection:

It’s very easy to love those who love us back but can we still love those whose love for us is declining? 

During the infancy of marriage both spouses love each other deeply. But after a couple of years cracks would surely show up to test the strength of the marriage bond. For example, both spouses will not be affectionate anymore they would not be as what they used to be during the early part of their marriage. 

Would you easily give up on your spouse whose love for you is waning? Of course not! You should rather continue on loving your spouse no matter what. You should never give up and try to understand the imperfections and shortcomings for the simple reason that you also have your own imperfections and shortcomings as well. 

Jesus’ love for us is not a selective love, its a love that is not based on the love that we give to Him. He loves us dearly in spite of our many imperfections and shortcomings. – Marino J. Dasmarinas

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 24, Sabado sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:43-48

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:43-48

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Narinig na ninyong sinabi, ‘Ibigin mo ang iyong kaibigan at kapootan mo ang iyong kaaway.’ Ngunit ito naman sabi ko: ibigin ninyo ang mga umuusig sa inyo, upang kayo’y maging tunay na anak ng inyong Amang nasa langit. Sapagkat pinasisikat niya ang araw sa masasama at sa mabubuti, at pinapapatak niya ang ulan sa mga banal at sa mga makasalanan.  

Kung ang mga umiibig sa inyo ang siya lamang ninyo iibigin, ano pang gantimpala ang inyong hihintayin? Hindi ba’t ginagawa rin ito ng mga publikano? At kung ang binabati lamang ninyo’y ang inyong mga kapatid, ano ang nagawa ninyong higit kaysa iba? Ginagawa rin iyon ng mga Hentil! Kaya, dapat kayong maging ganap, gaya ng inyong Amang nasa Langit.”  

Reflection for February 23, Friday of the First Week of Lent: Matthew 5:20-26

Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.  

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who suddenly died. When he was about to enter the pearly gates the angels who were guarding refused him entry.  When the man asked, why? The  angels told Him that when he was still alive his heart was full of anger and arrogance.  

Death is uncertain it may come to us anytime.  What if we suddenly die with our hearts full of anger and arrogance?  Many have been brought to perdition by anger and arrogance yet many of us still don’t learn our lesson. Anger and arrogance are emotional disease that originates from our egos, high sense of ourselves and our lack of humility.    

In the gospel we find Jesus giving us lessons on humility. He tells us: if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him (Matthew 5:23-25).  

It’s not easy to imbibe humility but if we only know that humility makes us closer to Jesus. If we only know that humility would save us a lot of trouble even grievous ones. We would not think twice to practice and imbibe humility we may even run after it and cling to it. – Marino J. Dasmarinas 

Ang Mabuting Balita Pebrero 23, Biyernes sa Unang Linggo ng Kuwaresma: Mateo 5:20-26

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 5:20-26

Noong panahong iyon, sinabi ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagad, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo: kung ang pagsunod ninyo sa kalooban ng Diyos ay tulad lamang ng pagsunod ng mga eskriba at mga Pariseo, hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos.”  

“Narinig ninyo na noong una’y inutos sa mga tao, ‘Huwag kang papatay; ang sinumang makamatay ay mananagot sa hukuman.’ Ngunit ngayo’y sinasabi ko sa inyo: ang mapoot sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa hukuman; ang humamak sa kanyang kapatid ay mananagot sa Sanedrin, at sinumang magsabi sa kanyang kapatid ‘ulol ka!’ ay mapapasaapoy ng impiyerno.  

Kaya’t kung naghahandog ka sa Diyos, at maalaala mo na may sama ng loob sa iyo ang kapatid mo, iwan mo muna ang iyong handog sa harap ng dambana at makipagkasundo ka sa kanya. Saka ka magbalik at maghandog sa Diyos. “Kung may magsakdal laban sa iyo sa hukuman, makipag-ayos ka sa kanya habang may panahon, bago ka niya iharap sa hukom.

At kung hindi’y ibibigay ka niya sa hukom, na magbibigay naman sa iyo ng tanod, at ikaw ay mabibilanggo. Sinasabi ko sa iyo: hindi ka makalalabas doon hangga’t hindi mo nababayaran ang kahuli-hulihang kusing.”

Reflection for Thursday February 22, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Jesus? Yes you know Jesus but do you feel the presence of Jesus in your life? Knowing and feeling Jesus are two different things. Many of us know Jesus but not as many feel His majestic presence. We don’t feel the presence of Jesus in our hearts because we lack time for Jesus. 

Peter did not only know Jesus, he felt also the presence of Jesus in his life. Peter felt the presence of Jesus in his life because Peter gave time for Jesus. Among the disciples it was Peter who was always with Jesus it was Peter who had more time for Jesus. 

Peter went with Jesus to the mountain of transfiguration. When Jesus walked on water Peter saw Jesus and even asked Jesus if he could go to him. And there were many other events that Peter was always in the company Jesus. 

If you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life. You only have to do one thing and that is to spend more time with Jesus. Be with Him at Holy Mass, hear Him speak to you by  reading your bible. Hear Him assuring you of His abiding presence in your life through your prayers. 

Do you want to feel the presence of Jesus in your life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas   

Ang Mabuting Balita Huwebes Pebrero 22, Luklukan ni Apostol San Pedro (Kapistahan): Mateo 16:13-19

Mabuting Balita: Mateo 16:13-19

Noong panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus sa Cesarea ng Filipos, tinanong niya ang kanyang mga alagad, "Sino raw ang Anak ng Tao, ayon sa mga tao?" At sumagot sila, "Ang sabi po ng ilan ay si Juan Bautista kayo. Sabi naman ng iba, si Elias kayo. At may nagsasabi pang si Jeremias kayo o isa sa mga propeta." "Kayo naman, ano ang sabi ninyo? Sino ako?" tanong niya sa kanila. 

 Sumagot si Simon Pedro, "Kayo po ang Cristo, ang Anak ng Diyos na buhay." Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, "Mapalad ka, Simon na anak ni Jonas! Sapagkat ang katotohanang ito'y hindi inihayag sa iyo ng ibang tao kundi ng aking Amang nasa langit. At sinasabi ko naman sa iyo, ikaw ay Pedro, at sa ibabaw ng batong ito ay itatayo ko ang aking simbahan, at hindi makapananaig sa kanya kahit sa kapangyarihan ng kamatayan. 

Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang mga susi ng kaharian ng langit: ang ipagbawal mo sa lupa ay ipagbabawal sa langit, at ang ipahintulot mo sa lupa ay ipahihintulot sa Langit."