Nagsabat si Marta, "Nahibaluan ko nga mabanhaw siya sa katapusan nga adlaw kon banhawon na ang mga patay"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 11:19-27)

Gani madamo nga mga Judio nga taga-Jerusalem ang nagkadto didto sa paglipay kay Marta kag kay Maria sa pagkapatay sang ila utod.

Pagkabati ni Marta nga nagapadulong si Jesus, nagguwa siya sa pagsugata sa iya, pero si Maria nagpabilin sa balay.

Pag-abot ni Marta kay Jesus, nagsiling siya, "Ginoo, kon diri ka lang, wala kuntani napatay ang akon utod.

Pero nahibaluan ko nga bisan karon magahatag ang Dios sa imo sang bisan ano nga imo pangayuon sa iya."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Mabanhaw ang imo utod."

Nagsabat si Marta, "Nahibaluan ko nga mabanhaw siya sa katapusan nga adlaw kon banhawon na ang mga patay."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Ako ang nagabanhaw sang mga patay, kag ako man ang nagahatag sang kabuhi. Ang nagatuo sa akon, bisan mapatay pa siya, mabuhi siya liwat.

Ang bisan sin-o nga nagakabuhi kag nagatuo sa akon indi na mapatay hasta kon san-o. Ti, nagapati ka bala sini?"

Nagsabat si Marta, "Huo, Ginoo! Nagapati gid ako nga ikaw amo ang Cristo, ang Anak sang Dios nga amon ginahulat nga magaabot diri sa kalibutan."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Strengthen my faith and hope in your promises that I may radiate the joy of the gospel to others."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What gives us hope and joy in the face of death? The loss of a loved one naturally produces grief and anguish of heart. When Martha, the sister of Lazarus and a close friend of Jesus, heard that Jesus was coming to pay respects for the loss of Lazarus, she immediately went out to meet him before he could get to her house. What impelled her to leave the funeral party in order to seek Jesus out? Was it simply the companionship and consolation of a friend who loved her brother deeply? Or did she recognize in Jesus the hope that God would restore life? Martha, like many Orthodox Jews, believed in the life to come. The loss of her brother did not diminish her hope in the resurrection. She even gently chides Jesus for not coming soon enough to save Lazarus from an untimely death. Jesus does something unexpected and remarkable both to strengthen her faith and hope in the life to come and to give her a sign of what he was to accomplish through his own death and resurrection. Jesus gave to her belief a new and profound meaning: He came from the Father to defeat sin and death for us and to restore life to those who believe in him. Jesus states unequivocally the he himself is the Resurrection and the Life. The life he offers is abundant life – life which issues from God himself. And eternal life – the fulness of life which knows no end. Do you seek the abundant life which Jesus offers to those who believe in him?

"Magaabot diri ang mga anghel agod painon ang mga tawo nga malain sa mga tawo nga matarong"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:47-53)

"Ang paghari sang Dios pareho man sa pukot nga ginladlad sa dagat, kag sari-sari nga mga isda ang nakuha.

Sang madamo na ang isda sa pukot ginbutong ini pahigad. Dayon nagpulungko ang mga mangingisda agod pilion ang mga isda. Ang maayo nga mga isda ginbutang nila sa mga alat, pero ang malain ginpamilak nila.

Pareho man sini ang matabo sa katapusan sang kalibutan. Magaabot diri ang mga anghel agod painon ang mga tawo nga malain sa mga tawo nga matarong.

Kag ang mga tawo nga malain ipilak sa kalayo sa impyerno. Magahibi sila kag magabagrot ang ila ngipon."

Dayon nagpamangkot si Jesus sa ila, "Nahangpan bala ninyo ang tanan ko nga ginpanghambal?" Nagsabat sila, "Huo."

Sa liwat nagsiling si Jesus, "Gani ang kada manunudlo nga may natun-an parte sa paghari sang Dios pareho sang tagbalay nga may madamo nga pagkabutang sa iya bodega. Kay indi lang ang daan nga mga butang ang iya ginatudlo kundi pati ang mga bag-o man."

Pagkatapos nga nakatudlo si Jesus sining mga paanggid, nagkadto siya sa iya banwa.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for your kingdom and fill my heart with eager longing for you that I may one day gaze upon your face in everlasting bliss."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What can a story of a dragnet and a great catch of fish tell us about God's kingdom? The two most common ways of fishing in Jesus' time was with a casting-net (or hand-net) which was thrown from the shore and the drag-net or trawl which was let down or cast into the waters from a boat. As the boat moved through the waters the drag-net was drawn into the shape of a great cone which indiscriminately took in all kinds of fish and flotsam and jetsam swept in its path. It usually took several men to haul such a net to shore. What is Jesus' point here? Just as a drag-net catches every kind of fish in the sea, so the church acts as God's instrument for gathering in all who will come. Just as the drag-net does not or cannot discriminate, so the church does not discriminate between the good and the bad, the useless and the useful. God's kingdom is open to all who will accept and believe. But there will come a time of separation, at the close of the age, when the angels will send the good and the bad to their respective destinations. Our duty is to gather in all who will come. God, in the end, will give the good and the bad the reward they deserve. God offers the treasure of his kingdom to all who believe. Do you hunger for God and his kingdom?

"Ang Langitnon nga manggad kag ang malahalon gid nga perlas"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:44-46)

"Ang paghari sang Dios pareho man sa manggad nga ginlubong sa duta nga nasapwan sang isa ka tawo. Ang iya ginhimo gintampukan niya ini liwat, kag nagpauli siya nga malipayon. Ginbaligya niya ang tanan niya nga pagkabutang kag ginbakal niya dayon ato nga duta."

Ang paghari sang Dios pareho man sa negosyante nga nagapangita sang mga perlas.

Pagkakita niya sang malahalon gid nga perlas, nagpauli siya kag ginbaligya ang tanan niya nga pagkabutang kag ginbakal niya dayon ato nga perlas."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I always find joy and delight in your presence."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What do you most treasure and how do you keep it secure? In a peasant community the best safe was often the earth. The man in the parable "went in his joy" to sell everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above everything else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough money to buy the field. In a similar fashion, God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can't pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare. The pearl of great price also tells us a similar lesson. Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the supremely valuable. Jesus remarked that one should not cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Why would a merchant sell everything for a peerless pearl? No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess.

Discovering God's kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure — the Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable treasure could mean many things — our friends, job, our "style of life", what we do with our free time. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. In this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom refer to? It certainly refers to the kingdom of God in all its aspects. But in a special way, the Lord himself is the treasure we seek. If the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty (Job 22:22-23). Is the Lord the treasure and delight of your heart?

"Ang mga matarong magasilak pareho sang adlaw didto sa ginharian sang ila Amay"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:36-43)

Pagkatapos sadto ginbayaan ni Jesus ang mga tawo kag nagsulod siya sa balay. Nagsulod man didto ang iya mga sumulunod kag nagpamangkot sa iya, "Sugiri kami kon ano ang kahulugan sang paanggid parte sa bugang."

Nagsiling siya, "Ang tawo nga nagsab-og sang maayo nga binhi wala sing iban kundi ako nga Anak sang Tawo.

Ang duta nga ginsab-ugan amo ang kalibutan. Ang maayo nga binhi wala sing iban kundi ang mga tawo nga nagapasakop sa paghari sang Dios. Kag ang mga bugang amo ang mga tawo nga sinakpan ni Satanas.

Si Satanas amo ang kaaway nga nagsab-og sang mga bugang. Ang tig-alani amo ang katapusan sang kalibutan, kag ang mga mangangani wala sing iban kundi ang mga anghel.

Subong nga ang bugang ginagabot kag ginasunog dayon, amo man ang magakalatabo sa katapusan sang kalibutan.

Ako nga Anak sang Tawo magapadala sang akon mga anghel agod tipunon kag pagguwaon sa akon ginharian ang tanan nga nagahimo sang malain nga nangin kabangdanan sang pagpakasala sang iban.

Dayon ipilak sila sa impyerno. Kag didto magahibi sila kag magabagrot ang ila mga ngipon.

Ang mga matarong magasilak pareho sang adlaw didto sa ginharian sang ila Amay. Dapat intiendihon gid ninyo ining inyo nabatian!"

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, may your all-consuming love rule in my heart and transform my life that I may sow what is good, worthy, and pleasing to you.”

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Are you quick to judge the faults of others? Jesus’ parable teaches us patience lest we judge before the time is right. Jesus also warns that there is an enemy who seeks to destroy the good seed of his word before it can bear fruit. Both good and evil can be sown in our hearts like tiny seeds which germinate, and in due time yield a harvest of good or bad fruit. We must stand guard lest evil take root in our hearts and corrupt us. Charles Read said: “Sow an act and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.” In the day of judgment each will reap what he or she has sown in this life. Those who sow good will shine in the kingdom of their Father. They will radiate with the beauty, joy, and fulness of God’s love. Do you allow the love of Christ to rule in your heart and in your actions?

"Masarangan bala ninyo ang mga pag-antos nga madali ko na lang antuson?"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 20:20-28)

Nagpalapit kay Jesus ang asawa ni Zebedeo upod ang iya duha ka anak nga lalaki. Nagluhod siya kay Jesus kay may ipangabay siya.

Gani nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Ano ang imo gusto?" Nagsabat ang asawa ni Zebedeo, "Kon mahimo, kon maghari ka na, papungkuon mo ang akon duha ka anak sa imo kilid; ang isa sa tuo kag ang isa sa wala."

Pero ginsabat sila ni Jesus nga nagasiling, "Wala kamo makahibalo kon ano ang inyo ginapangayo. Masarangan bala ninyo ang mga pag-antos nga madali ko na lang antuson?" Nagsiling sila, "Huo, masarangan namon."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Masarangan ninyo gani, pero indi ako ang nagapili kon sin-o ang mapungko sa akon tuo ukon sa akon wala. Kay may yara na nga gintigan-an sini ang akon Amay."

Pagkabati sang napulo ka sumulunod kon ano ang ila ginpangayo, naakig gid sila sa mag-utod.

Gani gintawag sila tanan ni Jesus kag ginsilingan, "Nahibaluan ninyo nga ang mga manugdumala sa sini nga kalibutan may gahom sa ila mga sinakpan kag pagusto lang sila kon ano ang ila himuon sa ila.

Pero indi amo ini ang sa inyo. Kay kon sin-o sa inyo ang gusto nga mangin gamhanan, dapat siya mangin suluguon ninyo.

Kag kon sin-o sa inyo ang gusto nga mangin pangulo, dapat mangin ulipon siya sang tanan.

Bisan pa gani ako nga Anak sang Tawo wala nagkadto diri sa kalibutan agod alagaran kundi mag-alagad kag maghatag sang akon kabuhi agod matubos ang madamo nga mga tawo."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, make me a servant of love for your kingdom, that I may seek to serve rather than be served. Inflame my heart with love that I may give generously and serve joyfully for your sake."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Who doesn't want to be first, to be esteemed and honored by others? We seem to have an unquenchable thirst for recognition and fame, power and authority to rule our own lives as we please as well as the lives of others. Should we be surprised to see the disciples of Jesus thirsting for power, position, and authority? James and John, the sons of Zebedee, urged their mother to strike a deal with Jesus, their Master and Messiah. They wanted the distinction of being first and most important in position, next to Jesus, of course!

When Jesus called the twelve apostles to be his inner circle of disciples who would teach and exercise spiritual authority on his behalf, he did the unthinkable! Jesus taught contrary to the world's understanding of power, authority, and position, by reversing the order of master and servant, lord and subject, first and last! Jesus wedded authority with love, position with sacrifice, and service with humility. Authority without love is brutish and self-serving. Position without respect and concern for the subordinate is demeaning and rude. And service without generosity and sacrifice is cheap and unkind.

Those who wish to serve with Christ and to exercise authority in God's kingdom must be prepared to sacrifice – not just some of their time, money, and resources – but their whole lives and all that they possess! Jesus used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a bitter one involving crucifixion. What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? For some disciples such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom. But for many, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations.

A disciple of Jesus must be ready to lay down his or her life – each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required – and even to the point of shedding one's blood if necessary for the sake of Christ and his gospel. What makes such sacrifice a joy rather than a burden? It is love – the kind of "love which God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). An early church father summed up Jesus' teaching with the expression: "to serve is to reign with Christ." We share in God's reign by laying down our lives in humble service and love for one another, just as Jesus did for our sake. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus has taught and modeled for us?

"Ang kaaway amo ang naghimo sini"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:24-30)

Nagpadayon si Jesus sa iya pagtudlo sa mga tawo paagi sa paanggid. Nagsiling siya, "Ang paghari sang Dios pareho sa tawo nga nagsab-og sang maayo nga binhi sa iya duta.

Pagkagab-i, samtang ang mga tawo nagakatulog, ang iya kaaway nagkadto didto kag nagsab-og sang bugang kag nagpauli.

Nagtubo ang tanom, kag sang pagpamunga nakita nga may mga bugang gali.

Gani nagkadto sa iya ang iya mga suluguon kag nagsiling, 'Indi bala maayo nga binhi ang aton ginsab-og sa imo duta? Diin naghalin ang mga bugang?'

Nagsiling ang ila agalon, 'Ang kaaway amo ang naghimo sini.' Gani nagpamangkot sila sa ila agalon, 'Gabuton bala namon ang mga bugang?'

Nagsabat ang ila agalon, 'Indi lang, kay basi magabot man ninyo ang maayo nga mga tanom.

Pabay-i lang ninyo hasta mag-abot ang tig-alani. Sa tig-alani suguon ko ang mga mangangani nga panggabuton anay ang mga bugang kag bugkuson agod sunugon. Pagkatapos ipatipon ko sa ila ang patubas sa akon bodega.' "

Prayers:

"Lord, may your word take deep root in my heart and that I may bear good fruit for your glory. May I hunger for your righteousness now that I may look forward to the day of judgment with joy rather than with dismay."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel: 

What can malicious weed-sowing tell us about the kingdom of God? The image Jesus uses here is a common everyday example of planting, harvesting, and sorting the good fruit from the bad. Weeds can spoil and even kill a good harvest if they are not separated and destroyed at the proper time. Uprooting them too early, though, can destroy the good plants in the process. Just as nature teaches us patience, so God's patience also teaches us to guard the word he has planted in our hearts and to beware of the destructive force of sin and evil which can destroy it. God's word brings life, but Satan seeks to destroy the good seed which has been planted in the hearts of those who have heard God's word. God's judgment is not hasty, but it does come. And in the end, God will reward each according to what they have sown and reaped in this life. In that day God will separate the evil from the good. Do you allow God's word to take deep root in your heart?

"Madamo nga mga propeta kag matarong nga mga tawo sang una ang naghandom nga makakita kag makabati sang inyo nakita kag nabatian karon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 13:10-17)

Dayon nagpalapit kay Jesus ang iya mga sumulunod kag nagpamangkot. "Ngaa nagahambal ka sa mga tawo paagi sa mga paanggid?"

Nagsabat si Jesus sa ila, "Ang mga sekreto parte sa paghari sang Dios ginasugid sa inyo nga maintiendihan ninyo, pero sa iban wala ginasugid nga maintiendihan nila.

Kay ang tawo nga nagatipig sang iya nabatian nga kamatuoran pagahatagan pa gid sang pag-intiendi, kag madamo gid ang idugang sa iya. Pero ang tawo nga wala nagatipig sang iya nabatian nga kamatuoran, bisan ang diutay nga iya naitiendihan, kuhaon pa sa iya.

Gani nagahambal ako sa ila paagi sa mga paanggid tungod kay nagatulok sila pero indi makakita, kag nagapamati sila pero indi makaintiendi.

Gani natuman sa ila ang ginsiling sang Dios paagi sa propeta nga si Isaias, 'Sige lang kamo pamati pero indi kamo makaintiendi. Sige lang kamo tulok pero indi kamo makakita.

Tungod kay matig-a ang ulo sang mga tawo nga ini. Gintakpan nila ang ila mga dulonggan, kag ginpiyong nila ang ila mga mata. Kay basi makakita sila kag makabati, kag makaintiendi kag magliso sa akon, kag ayuhon ko sila.'

Pero bulahan kamo nga nagasunod sa akon, kay nakakita kamo kag nakabati.

Sa pagkamatuod, madamo nga mga propeta kag matarong nga mga tawo sang una ang naghandom nga makakita kag makabati sang inyo nakita kag nabatian karon, pero wala natabo ini sa ila tiyempo."

Prayers:

"Holy Spirit, be my teacher and guide. Open my ears to hear God's word and open my eyes to understand God's action in my life. May my heart never grow dull and may my ears never tire of listening to the voice of Christ."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel: 

Do you want to grow in your knowledge of God? Saint Augustine of Hippo once said: "I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe." Both faith and understanding are gifts of the Holy Spirit that enable us to hear God's word with clarity so we can know God better and grow in the knowledge of his love and truth. Jesus, however, had to warn his disciples that not everyone would understand his teaching. The prophet Isaiah had warned that some would hear God's word, but not believe, some would see God's actions and miracles, and remained unconvinced. Ironically some of the greatest skeptics of Jesus' teaching and miracles were the learned scribes and Pharisess who prided themselves on their knowledge of scripture and the law of Moses. They heard Jesus' parables and saw the great signs and miracles which he performed, but they refused to accept both Jesus and his message. How could they "hear and never understand" and "see but never perceive"? They were spiritually blind and deaf because their hearts were closed and their minds were blocked by pride and prejudice. How could a man from Galilee, the supposed son of a carpenter, know more about God and his word, than these experts who devoted their lives to study and teaching?

There is only one thing that can open a closed, confused, and divided mind – a broken heart and humble spirit! The word disciple means one who is willing to learn and ready to submit to the wisdom and truth which comes from God. Psalm 119 expresses the joy and delight of a disciple who loves God's word and who embraces it with trust and obedience. "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation." (Psalm 119:97-99)

God can only reveal the secrets of his kingdom to the humble and trusting person who acknowledges their need for God and for his truth. The parables of Jesus will enlighten us if we approach them with an open mind and heart, ready to let them challenge us. If we approach God's word with indifference, skepticism, and disbelief, then we, too, may "hear but not understand" and "see but not perceive." God's word can only take root in a receptive heart that is ready to believe and willing to submit. If we want to hear and to understand God's word, we must listen with reverence and faith. Do you believe God's word and do you submit to it with trust and reverence?

Jerome, an early church bible scholar who lived between 342-419 AD, wrote: "You are reading [the scriptures]? No.Your betrothed is talking to you. It is your betrothed, that is, Christ, who is united with you. He tears you away from the solitude of the desert and brings you into his home, saying to you, 'Enter into the joy of your Master.'"

"Ang bisan sin-o nga nagahimo sang kabubut-on sang akon Amay sa langit amo ang akon utod"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 12:46-50)

Samtang nagahambal pa si Jesus, nag-abot ang iya iloy kag ang iya mga utod. Didto sila sa guwa nagahulat kay may inughambal sila sa iya.

May isa ka tawo nga nagsiling sa iya, "Ang imo iloy kag mga utod nagahulat sa guwa. Luyag sila magpakighambal sa imo."

Nagsabat si Jesus sa iya, "Nahibaluan mo bala kon sin-o ang akon iloy kag mga utod?"

Dayon gintudlo niya ang iya mga sumulunod kag nagsiling, "Amo ini sila ang akon iloy kag mga utod!

Kay ang bisan sin-o nga nagahimo sang kabubut-on sang akon Amay sa langit amo ang akon iloy kag mga utod."

Prayers:

"Heavenly Father, you bless us with many relationships and you invite us into the community of your sons and daughters who have been redeemed by your son, Jesus Christ. Help me to love my neighbor with charity, kindness, compassion, and mercy, just as you have loved me. In all of my relationships, and in all that I do and say, may I always seek to bring you honor and glory."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Who do you love and cherish the most? God did not intend for us to be alone, but to be with others. He gives us many opportunities for developing relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Why does Jesus seem to ignore his own relatives when they pressed to see him? His love and respect for his mother and his relatives is unquestionable. Jesus never lost an opportunity to teach his disciples a spiritual lesson and truth about the kingdom of God. On this occasion when many gathered to hear Jesus he pointed to another higher reality of relationships, namely our relationship with God and with those who belong to God.

What is the essence of being a Christian? It is certainly more than doctrine, precepts, and commandments. It is first and foremost a relationship – a relationship of trust, affection, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, mercy, helpfulness, encouragement, support, strength, protection, and so many other qualities that bind people together in mutual love and unity. God offers us the greatest of relationships – union of heart, mind, and spirit with himself, the very author and source of love (1 John 4:8,16). God's love never fails, never forgets, never compromises, never lies, never lets us down nor disappoints us. His love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional, and unstopable. Nothing can deter him from ever leaving us, ignoring us, or treating us unkindly. He will love us no matter what. It is his nature to love. That is why he created us – to be united with him and to share in his love and unity of persons (1 John 3:1). God is a trinity of persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and a community of love. That is why Jesus challenged his followers and even his own earthly relatives to recognize that God is the true source of all relationships. God wants all of our relationships to be rooted in his love.

Jesus is God's love incarnate – God's love made visible in human flesh (1 John 4:9-10). That is why Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep and the shepherd who seeks out the sheep who have strayed and lost their way. God is like the father who yearns for his prodigal son to return home and then throws a great party for his son when he has a change of heart and comes back (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus offered up his life on the cross for our sake, so that we could be forgiven and restored to unity and friendship with God. It is through Jesus that we become the adopted children of God – his own sons and daughters. That is why Jesus told his disciples that they would have many new friends and family relationships in his kingdom. Whoever does the will of God is a friend of God and a member of his family – his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ.

An early Christian martyr once said that "a Christian's only relatives are the saints" – namely those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ and who live as his disciples enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all of our relationships and requires a new order of loyalty to God first and to his kingdom of righteousness and peace. Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to love freely and generously as he loves.

"Ang indi matutom sa sini nga tiyempo nagapangayo kamo sang milagro"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 12:38-42)

May mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag mga Pariseo nga nagsiling kay Jesus, "Manunudlo, abi pakitai kami sang isa ka milagro halin sa Dios."

Nagsabat si Jesus sa ila, "Kamo nga mga tawo sa sini nga tiyempo, tama kalaot kag indi matutom sa pagsunod sa Dios. Nagapangayo kamo sang milagro, pero wala sang milagro nga ipakita sa inyo luwas sa milagro nga natabo kay Jonas nga propeta.

Subong nga si Jonas tatlo ka adlaw kag tatlo ka gab-i sa tiyan sang isda, amo man ang matabo sa akon nga Anak sang Tawo. Kay magapabilin ako sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw kag tatlo ka gab-i sa idalom sang duta.

Sa adlaw sang paghukom ang mga taga-Ninive mabanhaw kaupod sang mga tawo sa karon nga tiyempo kag basulon nila sila. Kay pagkabati sang mga taga-Ninive sadto sang wali ni Jonas, naghinulsol sila. Karon may yari diri nga labaw pa kay Jonas, pero wala kamo nagbaton sang iya ginatudlo.

Sa adlaw sang paghukom mabanhaw ang Rayna sang Bagatnan upod sang mga tawo sa karon nga tiyempo kag basulon niya sila. Kay naghalin pa siya sa malayo gid nga lugar sa pagpamati sa kaalam ni Haring Solomon. Karon may yari diri nga labaw pa kay Solomon, pero wala kamo nagbaton sang iya ginatudlo.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may grow in wisdom and knowledge of your love and truth. Free me from stubborn pride and wilfulness that I may wholly desire to do what is pleasing to you."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What would the Lord Jesus say about our generation? Jesus gave a rather stern warning to his generation when they demanded a sign from him. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs" from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. Jesus faulted them for one thing: spiritual adultery. The image of adultery was often used in the scriptures for describing apostasy or infidelity towards God. When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims, he says in so many words that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah spoke to them, and they repented (Jonah 3:5). And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-9). Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message of God for the people of Nineveh. Unfortunately the religious leaders were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus as God's Anointed One (Messiah) and they fail to heed his message. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke 2:34- 35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation for the greatest sign of all – his resurrection on the third day.

The Lord Jesus through the gift of his Holy Spirit offers us freedom from sin and ignorance and he gives us wisdom and understanding so that we may grow in knowledge of God and his ways. Do you thirst for God and for the wisdom which comes from above? James the Apostle says that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. If we wish to be wise in God's ways, then we must humble ourselves before him, like attentive students who wish to learn, and submit our heart and mind to his will for our lives. The single of heart and mind desire one thing alone – God who is the source of all wisdom, goodness, truth, and knowledge. Do you wish to be wise and loving as God is wise and loving? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with the wisdom which comes from above and to free your heart from all that would hinder God's loving action in your life.

"Indi niya pagpabay-an ang mga maluya sa pagtuo hasta matuman ang mga sugo sang Dios"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 12:14-21)

Dayon nagguwa ang mga Pariseo kag nagplano sila kon paano nila mapatay si Jesus.

Sang mahibaluan ni Jesus ang plano sang mga Pariseo, naghalin siya sa sadto nga lugar. Madamo nga mga tawo ang nagsunod sa iya kag gin-ayo niya ang tanan nga mga masakiton.

Ginpaandaman niya sila nga indi magpanugid sa iban parte sa iya.

Katumanan ini sang ginsiling sang Dios paagi kay propeta Isaias:

"Amo ini ang akon ginpili nga alagad. Palangga ko siya kag nalipay gid ako sa iya. Gamhan ko siya sang akon Espiritu. Kag pasanagan niya ang mga tawo sa tanan nga nasyon parte sa katarungan. Indi siya magpakigbais sa mga tawo, ukon magsinggit, ukon mabatian ang iya tingog sa mga dalan. Indi niya pagpabay-an ang mga maluya sa pagtuo, kay buligan niya ang tanan bisan ang tawo nga diutay gid lang ang iya pagtuo. Indi siya mag-untat hasta matuman ang mga sugo sang Dios. Kag ang mga tawo sa tanan nga nasyon magasalig sa iya."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, your love and mercy knows no bounds. Give me strength when I am weak, hope when I am discourged, peace when I am troubled, consolation when I am sad, and understanding when I am perplexed. Make me an instrument of your love and peace to those who are troubled and without hope."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

How do we achieve success and victory in our lives? In everyone's life there are key moments or turning points on which the whole of one's life hinges. The mounting confrontation between the Pharisees and Jesus was such a decisive event and crisis. The religious leaders became intolerant of Jesus because of their prejudice. Nothing that Jesus would do or say from this point on would be right in their eyes. They conspired, not simply to oppose Jesus but to eliminate him. Jesus met this defiance with courage and determination to do his Father's will. He used the crisis to teach his disciples an important lesson for God's way to success and victory. The only way to glory in God's kingdom is through the cross – the cross of suffering and humiliation which Jesus endured for our sake and for our salvation. We, too, are called to take up our cross every day – to die to sin, selfishness, envy, pride, strife, and hatred – and to lay down our lives in humble service and love for one another – just as Jesus did for our sake.

Matthew quotes from the "Suffering Servant" prophecies of Isaiah to explain how Jesus the Messiah would accomplish his mission – not through crushing power – but through love and sacrificial service (Isaiah 42:1-4). In place of a throne Jesus chose to mount the cross and wear a crown of thorns. He was crucified as our Lord and King (John 19:19; Philippians 2:11) There is no greater proof of God's love for us than the sacrificial death of his only begotten Son for our sake and our salvation (John 3:16). Jesus died not only for the Jews but for all the Gentile nations as well. Isaiah had prophesied centuries before, that the Messiah would bring justice to the Gentiles. To the Greek mind, justice involved giving to God and to one's fellow citizen that which is their due (whatever is owed to them). Jesus taught his disciples to give God not only his due, but to love him without measure just as he loves us unconditionally – without limits or reservations.

Jesus brings the justice of God's kingdom tempered with divine love and mercy. He does not bruise the weak or treat them with contempt, but rather shows understanding and compassion. He does not discourage the fainthearted but gives hope, courage, and the strength to persevere through trying circumstances. No trials, failings, and weaknesses can keep us from the mercy and help which Jesus offers to everyone who asks. His grace is sufficient for every moment, every situation, and every challenge we face. When you meet trials and difficulties, do you rely on God's help and grace?

"Magsunod kamo kag magpatudlo sa akon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 11:28-30)

"Palapit kamo sa akon, tanan kamo nga ginabudlayan kag ginabug-atan kag papahuwayon ko kamo.

Magsunod kamo kag magpatudlo sa akon kay malulo ako kag mabuot. Makapahuway kamo, kay ang akon mga sugo mahapos nga tumanon kag mamag-an lang ang akon ginapahimo."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, inflame my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What does the yoke of Jesus refer to in the gospel? The Jews used the image of a yoke to express submission to God. They spoke of the yoke of the law, the yoke of the commandments, the yoke of the kingdom, the yoke of God. Jesus says his yoke is "easy". The Greek word for "easy" can also mean "well-fitting". Yokes were tailor-made to fit the oxen well. Oxen were yoked two by two. Jesus invites us to be yoked with him, to unite our life with his life, our will with his will, and our heart with his heart. To be yoked with Jesus is to be united with him in a relationship of love, trust, and obedience.

Jesus also says his "burden is light". There's a story of a man who once met a boy carrying a smaller crippled lad on his back. "That's a heavy load you are carrying there," exclaimed the man. "He ain't heavy; he's my brother!" responded the boy. No burden is too heavy when it's given in love and carried in love. When we yoke our lives with Jesus, he also carries our burdens with us and gives us his strength to follow in his way of love. Do you know the joy of resting in Jesus' presence and walking daily with him along the path he has for you?

Jesus offers us a new kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. In his kingdom sins are not only forgiven but removed, and eternal life is poured out for all its citizens. This is not a political kingdom, but a spiritual one. The yoke of Christ's kingdom, his kingly rule and way of life, liberates us from the burden of guilt and from the oppression of sinful habits and hurtful desires. Only Jesus can lift the burden of sin and the weight of hopelessness from us. Jesus used the analogy of a yoke to explain how we can exchange the burden of sin and despair for a weight of glory and victory with him. The yoke which Jesus invites us to embrace is his way of love, grace, and freedom from the power of sin. Do you trust in God's love and submit to his will and plan for your life?

"Pareho kamo sang mga karnero nga akon ginapadala sa mapintas nga mga sapat"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 10:16-23)

"Tandai ninyo ini! Pareho kamo sang mga karnero nga akon ginapadala sa mapintas nga mga sapat. Gani magmaalam kamo pareho sang mga man-og, pero dapat pareho man kamo sang mga pating nga wala nagahimo sang malain.

Mag-andam kamo sa ila, kay pagadakpon nila kamo kag dalhon sa mga hukmanan kag pagahanuton nila kamo sa ila mga simbahan.

Iakusar nila kamo sa mga gobernador kag mga hari tungod sang inyo pagsunod sa akon, kag didto magasugid kamo sang Maayong Balita sa ila upod sa ila mga tinawo nga indi Judio.

Kon imbistigaron na kamo, indi kamo magpalibog kon ano ang inyo ihambal, kag kon paano kamo magsabat. Kay kon kamo didto na, ang Espiritu Santo amo ang magatudlo sa inyo kon ano ang inyo isabat.

Gani ang inyo ihambal indi inyo kundi iya sang Espiritu nga halin sa inyo Amay. Siya ang magahambal paagi sa inyo.

"Sa sina nga mga inadlaw may mga tawo nga magapapatay sang ila mga utod. May mga amay nga magapapatay sang ila mga anak. Kag may mga anak nga magakontra sa ila mga ginikanan, kag ipapatay nila sila.

Dumtan kamo sang tanan tungod nga kamo akon mga sumulunod. Pero ang nagapadayon sa pagsunod sa akon hasta sa katapusan amo ang maluwas.

Kon hingabuton kamo sa isa ka banwa, magpalagyo kamo pakadto sa isa ka banwa. Kay sa pagkamatuod, sa wala pa ninyo malibot ang tanan nga mga banwa sang Israel, ako nga Anak sang Tawo magabalik.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, help me to patiently and joyfully accept the hardships, adversities, and persecution which come my way in serving you. Strengthen my faith and give me courage that I may not shrink back from doing your will”. 

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What does Jesus mean when he says his disciples must be sheep in the midst of wolves? The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when wolves and lambs will dwell in peace (Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25). This certainly refers to the second coming of Christ when all will be united under the Lordship of Jesus after he has put down his enemies and established the reign of God over the heavens and the earth. In the meantime, the disciples must expect opposition and persecution from those who oppose the gospel. Jesus never hesitated to tell his disciples what they might expect if they followed him. Here Jesus says to his disciples: This is my task for you at its grimmest and worst; do you accept it? This is not the world's way of offering a job. After the defeat at Dunkirk, Churchill offered his country blood, toil, sweat, and tears. This is not the message we prefer to hear when the Lord Jesus commissions us in his service. Nonetheless, our privilege is to follow in the footsteps of the Master who laid down his life for us. Are you willing to accept hardship and suffering in following after the Lord?

"Nakabaton kamo sa Dios nga wala sing bayad, gani maghatag man kamo nga wala sing bayad"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 10:7-15)

Ibantala ninyo sa ila nga tion na ini nga ang Dios magahari sa mga tawo.

Ayuha ninyo ang mga masakiton, banhawa ninyo ang mga patay, ayuha ninyo ang mga aruon, kag tabuga ninyo ang malaot nga mga espiritu. Nakabaton kamo sa Dios nga wala sing bayad, gani maghatag man kamo nga wala sing bayad.

Indi kamo magbalon sing kuwarta, ukon bag, ukon ilislan nga bayo, ukon sandalyas, ukon baston, kay ang nagapangabudlay dapat gid man nga hatagan sang iya mga kinahanglanon.

"Kon magsulod kamo sa isa ka banwa ukon sa isa ka baryo, magpangita kamo sang tawo nga maalwan nga magbaton sa inyo. Kag didto kamo magdayon hasta maghalin kamo sa sina nga lugar.

Sa inyo pagsulod sa balay nga magabaton sa inyo, bendisyunan ninyo ang mga nagaestar didto.

Kon ang panimalay nga ina maayo nga mga tawo, bendisyuni ninyo sila, pero kon indi, indi ninyo pagbendisyuni.

Kon may mga panimalay ukon banwa nga indi gid magbaton sa inyo ukon indi gid magpamati sa inyo ginasiling, bayai na lang ninyo sila. Paghalin ninyo, taktaka ninyo ang yab-ok sa inyo tiil bilang paandam batok sa ila.

Sa pagkamatuod, ang silot nga ila pagabatunon sa Adlaw sang Paghukom labaw pa sa silot nga mabaton sang mga taga-Sodoma kag mga taga-Gomora."

Prayers:

“Lord Jesus, may the joy and truth of the gospel transform my life that I may witness it to those around me. Grant that I may spread your truth and your light wherever I go.”  

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you believe that the gospel has power to change your life and the lives of others? Jesus gave his disciples a two-fold commission to speak in his name and to act with his power. The core of the gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God is imminent! What is the kingdom of God? It is that society of men and women who freely submit to God and who honor him as their Lord and King. In the Lord’s prayer we pray for God to reign in our lives and in our world: May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus also commissioned his disciples to carry on the works which he did – bringing the healing power of God to the weary and oppressed. The gospel has power to set people free from sin, sickness, fear, and oppression. The Lord will free us from anything that keeps us from loving him and our neighbor with joy and confidence.

Jesus said to his disciples: Freely you have received, freely give. What they have received from Jesus they must now pass on to others without expecting a favor in return, whether it be in form of a gift or payment. They must show by their attitude that their first interest is in serving God, not receiving material gain. They must serve without guile, full of charity and peace, and simplicity. They must give their full attention to the proclamation of God’s kingdom and not be diverted by other lesser things. They must travel light – only take what was essential and leave behind whatever would distract them – in order to concentrate on the task of speaking the word of the God. They must do their work, not for what they can get out of it, but for what they can give freely to others, without expecting special privileges or reward. “Poverty of spirit” frees us from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God’s provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves.

Secondly, Jesus said: the worker deserves his sustenance. Here we see a double-truth: the worker of God must not be overly-concerned with material things, but the people of God must never fail in their duty to give the worker of God what he or she needs to sustain themselves in the Lord's service. Do you pray for the work of the gospel and do you support it with your material and financial resources? Jesus ends his instructions with a warning: If people reject God’s invitation and refuse his word, then they bring judgment and condemnation on themselves. When God gives us his word there comes with it the great responsibility to respond. Indifference will not do. We are either for or against God in how we respond to his word. God gives us his word that we may have life – abundant life – in him. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. God shares his word with us and he commissions us to speak it boldly and simply to others. Do you witness the truth and joy of the gospel by word and example to those around you?