"Ano ang ginatugot sang aton Kasugoan ang magluwas sang kabuhi sa sang isa ka tawo ukon ang magpatay?"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 6:6-11)

Lunes (Setyembre 9)

Sang isa na man ka Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, nagsulod si Jesus sa sinagoga kag nagpanudlo. May tawo didto nga ang iya kamot nga tuo naitus.

May mga manunodlo sang Kasugoan kag mga Fariseo nga nagapangita sing kabangdanan sa pagsumbong kay Jesus. Gani ginpanilagan nila sia sing maid-id kon bala magapang-ayo sia sang mga masakiton sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway.

Ugaling si Jesus nakahibalo sang ila panghunahona kag nagsiling sia sa tawo nga naitus ang iya kamot, “Tindog ka kag magkari sa atubangan.” Ang tawo nagtindog kag nagkadto sa atubangan.

Dayon si Jesus nagsiling sa ila, “Mamangkot ako sa inyo: Ano ang ginatugot sang aton Kasugoan sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway nga himuon ta? Ang magbulig bala ukon ang maghalit? Ang magluwas sang kabuhi sang isa ka tawo ukon ang magpatay?”

Gintulok niya sila tanan, kag nagsiling sa tawo, “Untaya ang imo kamot.” Gin-untay niya ang iya kamot, kag nag-ayo ini. 

Pero naakig gid sila, kag ginhambalan nila kon ano ang ila himuon kay Jesus.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, in your victory over sin and death on the cross and in your resurrection you give us the assurance of sharing in the eternal rest of heaven. Transform my heart with your love that I may freely serve my neighbor for his good and find joy and refreshment in the celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What is God's intention for the commandment, keep holy the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)? The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Luke records that Jesus knew their thoughts. They were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God. Jesus shows them their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life.

What is the significance of Jesus' healing the man with the withered hand? Ambrose (337-397 AD), the 4th century bishop of Milan who was instrumental in bringing Augustine of Hippo to the Christian faith, comments on this miracle:

"Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, 'Stretch forth your hand.' That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. The hand is stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God (1 Kings 13:4-6)."

Why do Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day? Most importantly, we celebrate it to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17). God's action is a model for us. If God "rested and was refreshed" on the seventh day, we, too, ought to "rest" and let others, especially the poor, "be refreshed" (see Exodus 31:17; 23:12). Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us. Such "rest" however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) said: "The charity of truth seeks holy leisure; the necessity of charity accepts just work."

How can we make Sunday a day holy to the Lord? First, by refraining from unnecessary work and from activities that hinder the worship we owe to God. We can also perform works of mercy, such as humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. And we ought to seek appropriate relaxation of mind and body as well. The joy of the Lord's Day is a great gift to refresh and strengthen us in our love of God and of neighbor (Nehemiah 8:10). Do you know the joy of the Lord and do you find rest and refreshment in celebrating the Lord's Day?