Maraming mga bagay na maaring magpaalala sa atin na ang Pasko ay malapit na.  May mga ilaw, parol, Christmas tree, belen, at iba’t-ibang dekorasyong pampasko  ang kapaligiran.  Pumapahimpapawid na ang  mga awiting pamasko bagamat Oktubre pa lamang.  Dito sa

Many interpret the dramatic expressions described in today’s gospel as information on what will happen at the end of the world.

The thought of the end of the world scares many. Jesus does not intend to provoke fear, but just the opposite. He wants to free us from fear, inspire joy and infuse hope.  

Lagi nga bang napapako ang mga pangako?  Tanong lamang ito sa kasabihan na ang pangako ay laging napapako.  Nangangahulugan na ang isang tao ay hindi tumutupad sa isang kasunduan, sumpa, o pangako sa kan

At the dawn of the eve of the Passover, the Jews took Jesus and accused him of being a criminal.

The question formulated from the very first interrogation that the prosecutor puts to Jesus is the most delicate, “Are you the King of the Jews?”

The Jews had a gut hatred towards the foreign rule of the Romans, who had been ruling over Israel for years. There were unsuccessful attempts to overthrow them.

At the beginning of chapter 13, Mark the evangelist recalls the words of the Lord not to be deceived by the foolish discourses of those who preach the imminent end of the world: “Don’t let anyone mislead you. When you hear of wars and threats of war, don’t be troubled: this must occur, but the end is not yet” (Mark 13:5-8). 

Continuing from there, Jesus uses many images from today’s gospel, not to frighten the disciples, but to console them.

Jesus presents to his disciples two contrasting sets of characters; the scribes, who they should be careful not to follow, and the generous, poor widow whose selfless giving is worth imitating.    

The scribes were people who loved to show off their knowledge and their titles, and draw people’s attention; they devoured the widows’ and orphan’s goods (v.40) and made a show of long prayers (v.40). The Lord says they are hypocrites.  

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oday’s liturgy invites us to reflect on the proposals of blessedness from Jesus. They are the ones that the saints in heaven have put into practice and that the saints on earth, encouraged by their example, are encouraged to follow.

The gospel of blessedness is preached from the top of a mountain. More than a real place, the mountain refers to any place or time that we dispose ourselves to meet the Lord and accept his word.

On the occasion of the Passover, the Jews felt compelled to involve the disadvantaged in the joy of the feast. 

So beggars sat at the exit of the city of Jericho, where the road begins to climb toward Jerusalem, waiting for help from the well-disposed pilgrims.

Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem. In the verses immediately prior to today’s passage, the teacher, for the third time, announces his fate: he will be insulted, condemned to death, scourged and killed (vv.32-34).

In response we expect the disciples would attempt to dissuade him from travelling, suggest he stop for a moment, wait for better times. But we find none of this.

In the first part of the passage a rich young man enters the scene fast seeking advice to inherit eternal life. He is a just person and is conscious of having led a blameless life. Yet one feels that there is a deep concern in him that makes him suffer as if it were a spiritual infirmity.