Indi magkaakig, magpakighusay ka

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 5:20-26)

Biyernes (Marso 14)

Gani ginasingganan ko kamo, nga sarang lang kamo makasulod sa Ginharian sang langit kon ang inyo katutom sa pagtuman sang ginapaabot sang Dios sa inyo maglabaw sa katutom sang mga manunodlo sang Kasugoan kag sang mga Fariseo."

"Inyo nabatian ang ginsiling sang una sa inyo mga katigulangan, 'Indi ka magpatay sang tawo. Ang bisan sin-o nga makapatay pagadalhon sa hukmanan.'

Pero karon nagasiling ako sa inyo nga ang bisan sin-o nga nagakaakig sa iya utod, pagadalhon sa hukmanan; kag ang bisan sin-o nga nagapakalain sa iya utod, sa pagsiling sa iya, 'Hoy, waay ka pulos!' pagadalhon sa Pinakamataas nga Hukmanan; kag ang bisan sin-o nga nagasiling sa iya utod, 'Hoy, buang!' may katalagman nga magpa-impiyerno.

Gani kon nagadala ikaw sang imo dulot sa Dios kag madumdoman mo nga ang imo utod may aligutgot sa imo, bayai anay ang imo dulot sa atubangan sang altar kag magpakighusay sa imo utod, kag ugaling magbalik ka kag maghalad sang imo dulot sa Dios.

"Kon may tawo nga magsumbong sa imo sa hukmanan, magpakighusay ka sa iya samtang may tion pa kag wala pa kamo makakadto sa hukmanan, kay kon didto na kamo, iya ikaw itugyan sa hukom kag ang hukom magatugyan sa imo sa gwardya, kag isulod ka sa bilangguan.

Nagasiling ako sa imo, magapabilin ka didto tubtob mabayaran mo ang tanan mo nga multa." 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, my heart is cold. Make it warm, compassionate, and forgiving towards all, even those who do me harm. May I only think and say what is pleasing to you and be of kind service to all I meet."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you allow sin or anger to master your life? The first person to hate his brother was Cain. God warned Cain: 'Why are you angry? ..Sin in couching at the door; it's desire is for you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn't just happen; it first grows as a seed in one's heart. Unless it is mastered, by God's grace, it grows like a weed and chokes the life out of us. Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire, choice, and intention. Unless forbidden and evil desires are uprooted and cut-out, the heart will be poisoned and the body become a slave to sin and passion. Jesus illustrates his point with the example of the commandment to not kill. Murder first starts in the heart as the seed of forbidden anger that grows within until it springs into words and actions against one's brother or neighbor. This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die. Anger in the heart as well as anger in speech or action are equally forbidden. The Lord Jesus commands by grace - take away the anger in your heart and there will be no murder.

What is the antidote for overcoming anger and rage? Mercy, forbearance, and kindness spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief or harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge. Do you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free and to fill your heart and mind with his love and truth.

Eusebius, a 3rd century church father, offered the following prayer as instruction for his fellow Christians:

"May I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men's happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May I never fail a friend who is in danger. When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and healing words to soften their pain. May I respect myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their footsteps."

Do you seek to live peaceably and charitably with all?