Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 14:15-21)
"Kon ginahigugma ninyo ako, tumanon ninyo ang akon mga sugo.
Kag pangayuon ko sa Amay nga ipadala niya sa inyo ang isa na man ka Manugbulig. Ang Manugbulig nga ini wala sing iban kundi ang Espiritu Santo nga amo ang magatudlo sa inyo sang kamatuoran. Kag magapabilin siya sa inyo sa wala sing katapusan. Indi siya pagbatunon sang mga tawo sang kalibutan tungod kay indi nila siya makita kag wala sila makakilala sa iya. Pero kilala ninyo siya tungod kay siya kaupod ninyo, kag magapuyo siya sa inyo tagipusuon hasta kon san-o.
"Indi ko kamo pagbayaan nga wala sing upod; mabalik man ako sa inyo.
Madali na lang ako madula sa panan-aw sang mga tawo diri sa kalibutan, pero kamo makakita sa akon. Kag tungod kay ako nagakabuhi, kamo nagakabuhi man.
Pag-abot sina nga adlaw, mahibaluan gid ninyo nga ako yara sa akon Amay, kag kamo ari sa akon, kag ako yara man sa inyo.
"Ang tawo nga nagabaton kag nagatuman sang akon mga sugo amo ang nagahigugma sa akon. Kag ang nagahigugma sa akon higugmaon man sang akon Amay. Higugmaon ko man siya kag ipakilala ko sa iya kon sin-o gid ako."
Prayers:
"O God, you are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings and the bestower of affection, who sends peace to those who receive it. Open to us this day the sea of your love and water us with abundant streams from the riches of your grace and from the most sweet springs of your kindness. Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace; enkindle in us the fire of your love; sow in us your fear; strengthen our weakness by your power; bind us closely to you and to each other in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity." (ancient prayer from Syrian Clementine liturgy)
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Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
What makes us both truly human and truly like God? Love which is unselfish, undying, and wholly directed to the good of others. It is love that unites us in an unbreakable bond of fidelity and fellowship with others. Jesus loved his own until the very end of his passion and death on the cross (John 13:1). From the very beginning of creation God said: it is not good that man should be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were created in love for love – to be a community of loving persons, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in love. John Henry Newman said: We love because it is our nature to love, and it is our nature because God the Holy Spirit has made it our nature. Jesus speaks to his disciples of the inseparable bound of love between himself and the Father, and of their love for humankind. In Jesus we see the fulness of God's love and how God's love is directed to our well-being. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him (1 John 4:9).
How do we know that God truly loves each of us? In the cross we see the proof of God's love for us and the incredible price God was willing to pay for our redemption. Jesus gave up his life that we might have life – abundant, everlasting life with God – a life of love and unity with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever. Through the cross Jesus opened a new way of relationship for us as adopted sons and daughters of God – his beloved children (Romans 8:14-17). Jesus calls his disciples to walk in his way of love through obedience to the will of the Father. True love is more than sentiment or good intentions. As important as these may be they are not the proof of sincere love. True love for God is expressed in obedience and obedience is expressed in love.
Jesus promised to give his followers the best of gifts, the Holy Spirit as their Counselor and Helper. How does the Holy Spirit help us? Counselor is a legal term for one who defends someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. The Holy Spirit is also the Giver of life – the life of God – and the One who guides us in the way of truth. We can never stop learning because the Spirit leads us more and more into the knowledge of God's love and truth. Jesus also promised his followers the gift of peace. Peace is more than the absence of conflict or trouble. Peace includes everything which makes for our highest good. Trust in God, faith in his promises, and obedience to his word lead us to peace and safety in God's presence. That is why a Christian need not fear or be troubled by anything. What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?
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