Lazaro gindala sa luyo gid ni Abraham

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 16:19-31)

Huwebes (Marso 20)

“May isa anay ka manggaranon nga tawo nga nagabayu sing malahalon kag nagapatuyang sa iya pagkaon adlaw-adlaw.

May isa man ka imol nga tawo nga ginhingalanan kay Lazaro nga puno sang katol. Ini sia pirme lang ginadala sa puwertahan sang balay sadtong manggaranon nga tawo kag nagahandom sia nga makakaon sang nagakadagdag nga mga pagkaon gikan sa lamisa sang manggaranon. Bisan pa ang mga ido nagapalapit kag nagadilap sang iya katol.

Ang imol nga tawo napatay kag gindala sang mga anghel sa luyo gid ni Abraham. Ang manggaranon nga tawo napatay man kag ginlubong.

Nag-antos sia didto sa Hades kag sang pagtangla niya nakita niya sa malayo si Abraham kag si Lazaro sa iya gid luyo.

Gani nagpanawag sia, ‘Amay nga Abraham! Kaluoyi ako, kag ipadala si Lazaro sa pagtum-oy sang iya tudlo sa tubig kag pabugnawan ang akon dila, kay tama ang akon pag-antos sa sini nga kalayo.’

Pero si Abraham nagsabat, ‘Dumdoma, anak ko, nga sang nagakabuhi pa ikaw, imo ang tanan nga maayo nga mga butang, samtang ang kay Lazaro iya ang malain nga mga butang. Pero karon nagakalipay sia diri, samtang ikaw imo nagakasakit.

Wala labot sina, sa gin-utlan naton may daku nga kadadalman, gani ang luyag magkadto dira halin diri indi makatabok, kag wala man sing may makatabok halin dira pakari diri.’

Ang manggaranon nga tawo nagsiling, ‘Amay, kon amo ina, nagapakiluoy ako sa imo nga ipadala mo si Lazaro sa balay sang akon amay, sa diin may lima pa ako ka mga utod nga lalaki. Pakadtoa sia didto sa pagpaandam sa ila agod nga sila indi man magkadto sa sining duog sang pag-antos.’

Si Abraham nagsabat, ‘Didto man si Moises kag ang mga propeta sa pagpaandam sa imo mga utod nga lalaki. Papamatia ang imo mga utod sa ginahambal nila.’

Ang manggaranon nga tawo nagsabat, ‘Amay nga Abraham, kulang pa ina. Kon may isa nga mabanhaw kag magkadto sa ila, ti, magabiya sila sa ila mga sala.’

Pero si Abraham nagsiling, ‘Kon indi sila magpamati kay Moises kag sa mga propeta, indi man ina sila magpamati bisan pa may isa nga mabanhaw.’ ”

Prayers: 

"Lord Jesus, you are my joy and my treasure. Make me rich in the things of heaven and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others the spiritual and material treasures you have given to me."

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Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What sustains you when trials and affliction come your way? The prophet Jeremiah tells us that whoever relies on God will not be disappointed or be in want when everything around them dries up or disappears (Jeremiah 17:7-8). God will not only be their consolation, but their inexhaustible source of hope and joy as well.

Jesus' parable about the afflictions of the poor man Lazarus brings home a similar point. In this story Jesus paints a dramatic scene of contrasts - riches and poverty, heaven and hell, compassion and indifference, inclusion and exclusion. We also see an abrupt and dramatic reversal of fortune. Lazarus was not only poor, but sick and unable to fend for himself. He was "laid" at the gates of the rich man's house. The dogs which licked his sores probably also stole the little bread he got for himself. Dogs in the ancient world symbolized contempt. Enduring the torment of these savage dogs only added to the poor man's miseries and sufferings. The rich man treated the beggar with contempt and indifference, until he found his fortunes reversed at the end of his life! In God's economy, those who hold on possessively to what they have, lose it all in the end, while those who share generously receive back many times more than they gave way.

The name Lazarus means God is my help. Despite a life of misfortune and suffering, Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His eyes were set on a treasure stored up for him in heaven. The rich man, however, could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions. He not only had every thing he needed, he selfishly spent all he had on himself. He was too absorbed in what he possessed to notice the needs of those around him. He lost sight of God and the treasure of heaven because he was preoccupied with seeking happiness in material things. He served wealth rather than God. In the end the rich man became a beggar!

Do you know the joy and freedom of possessing God as your true and lasting treasure? Those who put their hope and security in heaven will not be disappointed (see Hebrews 6:19).