“Sin-o bala ang labing daku sa Ginharian sang langit?”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 18:1-5, 10, 12-14)
Martes (Agosto 13)

Sa sadto nga tion nagpalapit ang mga gintuton-an kay Jesus kag nagpamangkot, “Sin-o bala ang labing daku sa Ginharian sang langit?”

Gintawag ni Jesus ang isa ka diutay nga bata kag ginpatindog sia sa ila atubangan, kag nagsiling, “Dumdoma ninyo ini! Kon indi kamo magbaylo kag manginkaangay sa magamay nga mga kabataan, indi gid kamo makasulod sa Ginharian sang langit.

Gani ang nagapaubos sang iya kaugalingon kag manginkaangay sining diutay nga bata, amo ang labing daku sa Ginharian sang langit.

Kag ang nagabaton sang kasubong sining diutay nga bata sa akon ngalan nagabaton sa akon.” 

“Mag-andam kamo nga indi ninyo matamay ang isa sining magamay nga mga kabataan. Nagasiling ako sa inyo nga ang ila mga anghel sa langit yara pirme sa atubangan sang akon Amay nga langitnon.

“Ano bala sa inyo? Ano bala ang himuon sang isa ka tawo nga may 100 nga mga karnero kag ang isa sa ila nadula? Bayaan niya ang 99 didto sa bakulod nga nagahalab kag iya pangitaon ang nadula nga karnero. 

Nagasiling ako sa inyo, kon iya makita ini, ang iya kalipay tungod sining isa labi pa sang iya kalipay sa 99 nga wala madula.

Subong man ang inyo Amay sa langit indi luyag nga ang isa sining magamay nga mga kabataan madula.” 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and simplicity of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart – who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child.

What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?