"Indi kamo mawili sa patuyang nga pangabuhi"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 21:34-36)

"Gani bantayan ninyo ang inyo kaugalingon nga indi kamo mawili sa patuyang nga pangabuhi, sa pagpahubog, kag sa pagpalibog sa inyo pagpangabuhi, kay basi kon hinali lang nga mag-abot yadto nga adlaw nga wala kamo makabantay, nga daw sa nasiod kamo. 

Kay magaabot ini sang hinali sa tanan nga nagaestar diri sa kalibutan. 

Gani magpreparar kamo permi kag magpangamuyo nga kon matabo na ini tanan, may kabakod kamo agod indi kamo maano, kag makaatubang kamo sa akon nga Anak sang Tawo nga indi mahuya." 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, rouse my spirit to the truth that this world is passing away. Give me a lively faith, a joyful hope, and a fervent love to see you face to face when you return in glory."  

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Is there anything holding you back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17). But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things, such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness, and so many other harmful addictions and sinful habits. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom – freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions – such as making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only – his love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us. 

Jesus also warns us of the temptation to slacken off – to become spiritually idle, lazy, indifferent, or inattentive to God's word and guidance for our lives. We can fall asleep spiritually if we allow other things to distract us from the reality of God and his kingdom. It is very easy to get caught up in the things of the present moment or to be weighed down with anxious cares and concerns. The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And he assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without his help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on him and to ask for his guidance and help. Do you pray for God's strength and wisdom? 

Until the Lord comes again we can expect troubles, trials, and temptations. Our adversary the devil does not rest in his attempt to lure us away from God's will for our lives. If he cannot succeed in getting us to renounce our faith in Christ, he will try, little by little, to distract us from pursuing God, especially in prayer and listening to his word. Ask the Lord Jesus to rekindle the fire of his love in you so that you will be ready and eager to meet him when he comes again.

"Ang iban sa inyo iakusar...pero indi gid kamo maano"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 21:12-19)

"Pero sa wala pa ini matabo, pagadakpon kamo kag hingabuton sang mga tawo. Pagadalhon nila kamo sa mga simbahan sang mga Judio agod sentensyahan kag prisohon. Pagadalhon man nila kamo sa mga hari kag mga gobernador agod imbistigaron. Ini tanan himuon nila sa inyo tungod sang inyo pagsunod sa akon. 

Pero ini mangin kahigayunan ninyo sa pagsugid sa ila sang Maayong Balita. 

Gani itanom ninyo sa inyo hunahuna nga kon matabo ini, indi kamo magpalibog kon ano ang inyo isabat, kay hatagan ko kamo sang kaalam sa pagsabat agod indi makasabat batok sa inyo ang inyo mga kaaway. 

Ang iban sa inyo iakusar mismo sang inyo mga ginikanan, mga utod, mga paryenti, kag sang inyo mga amigo. Kag ang iban sa inyo patyon gid nila. 

Dumtan kamo sang tanan tungod kay kamo akon mga sumulunod. 

Pero indi gid kamo maano. 

Kay kon magpadayon kamo makaangkon kamo sang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan. 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus Christ, by your atoning death on the cross you have redeemed the world. Fill me with joyful hope, courage, and boldness to witness the truth of your love for sinners and your victory over the powers of sin, Satan, and death."  

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

If the gospel message is good news, then why do so many oppose it with hostility and even violence? Jesus warns his followers that they will be confronted with persecution, wickedness, false teaching, and temptation. The real enemy of the gospel is Satan whom Jesus calls a "murderer" and "father of lies" (John 8:44). Satan uses fear and hatred to provoke hostility in others towards those who follow Jesus Christ. And what is Jesus' response to this hostility and opposition? Love, truth, and forgiveness. Only love can defeat prejudice, intollerance, hatred, and envy. God's love purifies our hearts and minds of all that would divide and tear people apart. The truth is also essential for overcoming evil and tribulation in the world. Satan deceives and sin blinds the heart and mind. Only God's truth can free us from error and spiritual blindness. The gospel is God's word of truth and salvation. That is why Jesus tells his disciples to proclaim the gospel throughout the whole world (Mark 16:15), even in the midst of opposition and persecution. 

Jesus tells his disciples that if they endure to the end they will gain their lives – they will see God's salvation and inherit eternal life and happiness with God. Endurance is more than human effort and perseverance. It is a supernational gift of the Holy Spirit which enables us to bear up under any trial, temptation, and form of persecution. Endurance is strengthened with hope – the supernatural assurance that we will see God face to face and inherit all the promises he has made. Jesus is our supreme model and hero who endured the cross for our sake (Hebrews 12:2). "God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Jesus willingly shed his blood for our sake and for our salvation and he calls us to lay down our lives for one another and to take up our cross in like manner (John 15:12-13; 1 John 3:16). 

The word "martyr" in the New Testament Greek means "witness". The Book of Revelations says that "Jesus was the faithful witness ...who freed us from our sins by his blood" (Revelations 1:5). Tertullian, a second century lawyer who converted when he saw Christians singing as they went out to die by the hands of their persecutors, exclaimed: "The blood of the martyrs is seed." Their blood is the seed of new Christians, the seed of the church. The third century bishop, Cyprian said: "When persecution comes, God's soldiers are put to the test, and heaven is open to martyrs. We have not enlisted in an army to think of peace and to decline battle, for we see that the Lord has taken first place in the conflict." True martyrs live and die as witnesses of the gospel. They overcome their enemies through persevering hope and courage, undying love and forebearance, kindness, goodness, and compassion. 

St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, "The martyrs were bound, jailed, scourged, racked, burned, rent, butchered – and they multiplied!" Why is this the case? The Christian martyrs witnessed to the truth, joy, and freedom of the gospel, by their lives, their testimony, and by the shedding of their own blood for the name of Christ. Today we unfortunately witness many extremists and misguided individuals who will sacrifice their lives, and kill others in the process, out of hatred, revenge, prejudice, and envy. From a Christian point of view, they are not true martyrs because their sacrifice is not motivated by God's merciful love and forgiveness, truth and righteousness. 

True martyrs pray for their persecutors and love their enemies. In their suffering and in their death they witness the truth of the gospel – that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Jesus gave his life for all who would accept him as their savior – whether Jew or Greek, Christian or Muslim, agnostic or atheist. Satan seeks to destroy our faith through the fear of death and he incites others to persecute Christians for their faith in Christ. Martyrs who shed their blood for Jesus Christ win great victory, not only for themselves, but for the whole people of God. The martyrs overcome Satan by enduring suffering and death through their faith in Christ who died and rose for us. And through their witness many others recognize the victory which Christ won on the cross. The martyrs witness to the truth – the truth of Jesus Christ and his power to overcome sin, fear, hatred, violence, and prejudice, and even death itself. What gives courage and confidence to the martyrs is the firm hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life and and unending happiness with God. 

God may call some of us to be martyrs for our faith. But for most of us, our call is to be 'dry' martyrs who bear testimony to the joy and power of the gospel in the midst of daily challenges, contradictions, temptations and adversities which come our way as we follow the Lord Jesus. What will attract others to the truth and power of the gospel? When they see Christians loving their enemies, being joyful in suffering, patient in adversity, pardoning injuries, and showing comfort and compassion to the hopeless and the helpless. Jesus tells us that we do not need to fear our adversaries. God will give us sufficient grace, strength, and wisdom to face any trial and to answer any challenge to our faith. Are you ready to lay down your life for Christ and to bear witness to the joy and freedom of the gospel?

"Bisan imol siya ginhatag niya ang tanan nga iya ginasaligan agod mabuhi"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 21:1-4)

Sang ulihi nagpanan-aw tan-aw si Jesus kag nakita niya ang mga manggaranon nga nagabutang sang ila kuwarta sa ginahulugan sang mga halad. 

Kag nakita man niya ang isa ka imol nga babayi nga balo nga naghulog sing duha lang ka sinsilyo. 

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Sa pagkamatuod, mas madamo ang ginhulog sang imol nga balo sang sa ila tanan. 

Kay sila madamo ang ila kuwarta kag ang ila ginhatag bali-wala lang sa ila; pero ang balo, bisan imol siya, ginhatag niya ang tanan nga iya ginasaligan agod mabuhi." 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, your love knows no bounds and you give without measure. All that I have comes from you. May I give freely and generously in gratitude for all that you have given to me. Take my life and all that I possess – my gifts, talents, time and resources – and use them as you see fit for your glory." 

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you know the joy of selfless giving and love for others? True love doesn't calculate; it spends lavishly! Jesus drove this point home to his disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people offering their tithes. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast with the rich who gave greater sums. How can someone in poverty give more than someone who has ample means? Jesus' answer is very simple: love is more precious than gold or wealth! Jesus taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is precious. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised someone who gave barely a penny – how insignificant a sum – because it was everything she had, her whole living. What we have to offer may look very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do you give out of love and gratitude for what God has already given to you?

"Ang Dios indi Dios sang mga patay, kundi Dios sang mga buhi; kay kon sa iya buhi ang tanan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 20:27-40)

May mga Saduceo nga nagpalapit kay Jesus. Ini nga mga tawo wala nagapati nga may pagkabanhaw. 

Nagpamangkot sila, "Manunudlo, nagsulat si Moises sa aton nga kon mapatay ang lalaki nga wala sila bata sang iya asawa, dapat ang iya utod ang magpangasawa sa nabalo agod makapabata siya para sa iya utod nga napatay. 

Karon, may pito ka mag-ulutod nga lalaki. Ang kamagulangan nagpangasawa, kag napatay nga wala sang bata. 

Gani ang balo ginpangasawa sang madason nga utod. Pero napatay man siya nga wala sila sang bata. 

Amo man ang natabo sa ikatlo nga utod, hasta sa ikapito. Nagkalamatay sila tanan nga wala gid nakapabata sa sadto nga babayi. 

Sang ulihi ang babayi napatay man. 

Karon, kon mag-abot na ang pagkabanhaw, kay sin-o gid siya nga asawa? Kay sila nga pito nagpangasawa sa iya." 

Ginsabat sila ni Jesus, "Sa sini nga kalibutan nagaasawahay ang mga tawo. 

Pero ang bisan sin-o nga suno sa Dios takos nga banhawon kag dalhon didto sa pihak nga kabuhi indi na magaasawahay. 

Indi na sila mapatay tungod nga mangin pareho na sila sang mga anghel; mga anak sila sang Dios, kay ginbanhaw sila. 

Kon parte sa pagbanhaw sang mga patay, bisan gani ang ginsiling ni Moises didto sa nagadabadaba nga kahoy-kahoy nagapamatuod sini. Indi bala nga gintawag niya ang Ginoo nga 'Dios ni Abraham, Dios ni Isaac, kag Dios ni Jacob'? 

Karon, ang Dios indi Dios sang mga patay, kundi Dios sang mga buhi, kay kon sa iya, buhi ang tanan." 

Nagsiling ang iban nga mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan, "Manunudlo, husto ang imo sabat." 

Kag wala na sang may nagpangahas pa sa pagpamangkot sa iya. 

Prayers:

"May the Lord Jesus put his hands on our eyes also, for then we too shall begin to look not at what is seen but at what is not seen. May he open the eyes that are concerned not with the present but with what is yet to come, may he unseal the heart's vision, that we may gaze on God in the Spirit, through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, whose glory and power will endure throughout the unending succession of ages." (Prayer of Origen, c. 185-254) 

*** 

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Is your life earthbound or heavenbound? The Sadducees had one big problem – they could not conceive of heaven beyond what they could see with their naked eyes! Aren't we often like them? We don't recognize spiritual realities because we try to make heaven into an earthly image. The Sadducees came to Jesus with a test question to make the resurrection look ridiculous. The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in immortality, nor in angels or evil spirits. Their religion was literally grounded in an earthly image of heaven. Jesus retorts by dealing with the fact of the resurrection. The scriptures give proof of it. In Exodus 3:6, when God manifests his presence to Moses in the burning bush, the Lord tells him that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He shows that the patriarchs who died hundreds of years previously were still alive in God. Jesus defeats their arguments by showing that God is a living God of a living people. God was the friend of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when they lived. That friendship could not cease with death. As Psalm 73:23-24 states: "I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." The ultimate proof of the resurrection is the Lord Jesus and his victory over death when he rose from the tomb. Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he exclaimed: "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25). Jesus asks us the same question. Do you believe in the resurrection and in the promise of eternal life with God? 

The Holy Spirit reveals to us the eternal truths of God's unending love and the life he desires to share with us for all eternity. Paul the Apostle, quoting from the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 64:4; 65:17) states: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). The promise of paradise – heavenly bliss and unending life with an all-loving God – is beyond human reckoning. We have only begun to taste the first-fruits! Do you live now in the joy and hope of the life of the age to come?

"Parte sa sadto nga mga tawo nga nagakontra sa akon, indi gusto nga maghari ako sa ila"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 19:11-28)

Samtang nagapamati pa ang mga tawo, ginsugiran sila ni Jesus sang paanggid tungod kay malapit na sila sa Jerusalem kag ang hunahuna sang mga tawo masugod na gid ang paghari sang Dios.

Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "May isa ka dungganon nga tawo nga naglakat sa malayo nga lugar sa pagbaton sang awtoridad bilang hari sa iya lugar, kag magabalik man siya dayon.

Pero sa wala pa siya makahalin ginpatawag niya ang iya napulo ka mga suluguon kag ginpanghatagan ang kada isa sa ila sang palareho nga kantidad sang kuwarta, kag nagsiling siya sa ila, 'Gamita ninyo sa negosyo ang akon ginhatag sa inyo samtang wala ako.'

"Karon, ang iya mga kasimanwa wala naluyag sa iya. Gani sang nakahalin na siya, nagpadala sila sing mga representante sa ginkadtuan niya sa pagsiling nga indi nila gusto nga maghari siya sa ila.

Pero ginhimo man siya gihapon nga hari. Pagbalik niya sa iya lugar, ginpatawag niya ang mga suluguon nga iya ginpanghatagan sang kuwarta nga inegosyo, agod mahibaluan niya kon pila ang ila naganansya.

Ang premiro nga nag-abot nagsiling sa iya, 'Sir, ang imo kuwarta nga ginhatag sa akon nakaganansya sang napulo ka pilo.'

Nagsiling ang hari, 'Maayo gid! Maayo ka nga suluguon. Tungod nga masaligan ka sa diutay nga butang, padumalahon ko ikaw sa napulo ka siyudad.' 

Ang ikaduha nga suluguon nag-abot man kag nagsiling, 'Sir, ang imo kuwarta nga ginhatag sa akon nakaganansya sing lima ka pilo.'

Nagsabat ang hari sa iya, 'Padumalahon ko ikaw sa lima ka siyudad.'

Kag nag-abot ang isa pa gid kag nagsiling, 'Sir, yari ang imo kuwarta. Ginputos ko gid ini kag gintago, kay nahadlok ako sa imo tungod masyado ka kaestrikto. Nagakuha ka sang ganansya sa kinabudlayan sang iban, kag nagakuha ka man sang patubas bisan indi ka ang nagtanom.'

Nagsiling ang hari sa iya, 'Wala ka sing pulos nga suluguon! Ang imo ginhambal amo mismo ang akon gamiton sa pagsentensya sa imo. Nahibaluan mo nga estrikto ako kag nagakuha sang ganansya sa kinabudlayan sang iban, kag nagakuha man ako sang patubas bisan indi ako ang nagtanom.

Ti ngaa wala mo pag-ibutang ang akon kuwarta sa bangko agod sa akon pagbalik makuha ko ang akon kuwarta nga may saka pa?'

Kag nagsiling ang hari sa mga tawo nga nagatindog didto, 'Kuhaa ninyo sa iya ang kuwarta kag ihatag sa tawo nga nakaganansya sing napulo ka pilo.'

Pero nagsabat sila, 'Sir, may napulo na siya ka pilo.'

Nagsabat ang hari, 'Sugiran ko kamo, ang bisan sin-o nga may yara hatagan pa. Pero ang wala iya, bisan ang diutay nga sa iya kuhaon pa.

Kon parte sa sadto nga mga tawo nga nagakontra sa akon kag indi gusto nga maghari ako sa ila, dalha ninyo sila diri sa akon kag pamatyon!' "

Pagkatapos niya hambal sadto, nagpadayon sila ni Jesus sa paglakat pakadto sa Jerusalem.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and mind and the master of my home and goods. Fill me with a generous and wise spirit that I may use the gifts, talents, time, and resources you give me for your glory and your kingdom."

 ***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

How does God establish his kingdom here on the earth? The Jews in Jesus' time had a heightened sense that the Messiah would appear soon to usher in the kingdom of God's justice, love, and peace on the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). Jesus, in fact, spoke in messianic terms of the coming reign of God. Perhaps his entry into Jerusalem would bring about such a change and overthrow of Roman domination. Jesus speaks to their longing for a new kingdom in the parable of a nobleman who went away to receive a kingdom. The parable reveals something important about how God works his plan and purpose with the human race. The parable speaks first of the king's trust in his subjects. While he goes away he leaves them with his money to use as they think best. While there were no strings attached, this was obviously a test to see if the king's subjects would be faithful and reliable in their use of the money entrusted to them. Third, the king rewards those who are faithful and he punishes those who sit by idly and who do nothing with his money.

The Lord Jesus offers us a kingdom of justice, love, and peace and he calls us to live as citizens of this kingdom where he rules as Lord and Master. Through his atoning death on the cross and through his resurrection victory, Jesus frees us from a kingdom of darkness where sin and Satan reign. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the Lord gives us freedom to live as his servants and to lay down our lives in loving service of our neighbors (Galatians 5:1,13). The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and graces and he gives us freedom to use them as we think best. With each gift and talent, the Lord gives sufficient grace and strength for using them in a fitting way. As the parable of the talents shows, God abhors indifference and an attitude that says it's not worth trying. God honors those who use their talents and gifts for doing good. Those who are faithful with even a little are entrusted with more! But those who neglect or squander what God has entrusted to them will lose what they have. There is an important lesson here for us. No one can stand still for long in the Christian life. We either get more or we lose what we have. We either advance towards God or we slip back. Do you trust in God's grace to make good use of the gifts and talents he has given you?

"Gani nagdali-dali si Zaqueo, kag ginbaton niya si Jesus sing malipayon gid"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 19:1-10)

Nagsulod si Jesus sa Jerico kay maagi siya didto.

May isa ka tawo didto nga manggaranon nga ang iya ngalan si Zaqueo. Siya amo ang pangulo sang mga manugsukot sang buhis.

Gusto gid niya nga makita kon sin-o gid si Jesus. Pero putot si Zaqueo kag tungod sa kadamuon sang mga tawo indi siya makakita kay Jesus.

Gani nagdalagan siya sa unhan kag nagsaka sa kahoy nga sikomoro agod makita niya si Jesus, kay didto gid siya dampi maagi.

Pag-abot ni Jesus didto nagtangla siya kag nagsiling, "Zaqueo, dali-dali ka nga magpanaog, kay karon nga adlaw kinahanglan didto ako madayon sa imo balay."

Gani dali-dali nga nagpanaog si Zaqueo, kag ginbaton niya si Jesus sing malipayon gid.

Sang makita sang mga tawo nga didto nagadayon si Jesus sa balay ni Zaqueo, nagkumod sila nga nagasiling, "Ngaa dira gid siya nagadayon sa balay sinang tawo nga makasasala?"

Didto sa iya balay nagtindog si Zaqueo kag nagsiling, "Ginoo, ipanagtag ko sa mga imol ang katunga sang akon pagkabutang. Kag kon may gindayaan ako, ibalik ko sa iya ang apat ka pilo."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Karon ginluwas ini nga pamilya, tungod nga kaliwat man siya ni Abraham.

Kay ako nga Anak sang Tawo nagkadto diri sa kalibutan sa pagpangita kag sa pagluwas sang tanan nga nagtalang."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, come and stay with me. Fill my life with your peace, my home with your presence, and my heart with your praise. Help me to show kindness, mercy, and goodness to all, even to those who cause me ill-will or harm."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door and said, "I must stay at your home today"? Would you be excited or embarrassed? Jesus often "dropped-in" at unexpected times and he often visited the "uninvited" – the poor, the lame, and even public sinners like Zacchaeus, the tax collector! Tax collectors were despised and treated as outcasts, no doubt because they over-charged people and accumulated great wealth at the expense of others. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was much hated by all the people. Why would Jesus single him out for the honor of staying at his home? Zacchaeus needed God's merciful love and forgiveness. In his encounter with Jesus he found more than he imagined possible. He shows the depth of his repentance by deciding to give half of his goods to the poor and to use the other half for making restitution for fraud. Zacchaeus' testimony included more than words. His change of heart resulted in a change of life, a change that the whole community could experience as genuine.

Saint Augustine of Hippo urges us to climb the sycamore tree like Zacchaeus that we might see Jesus and embrace his cross for our lives:

Zacchaeus climbed away from the crowd and saw Jesus without the crowd getting in his way. The crowd laughs at the lowly, to people walking the way of humility, who leave the wrongs they suffer in God’s hands and do not insist on getting back at their enemies. The crowd laughs at the lowly and says, “You helpless, miserable clod, you cannot even stick up for yourself and get back what is your own.” The crowd gets in the way and prevents Jesus from being seen. The crowd boasts and crows when it is able to get back what it owns. It blocks the sight of the one who said as he hung on the cross, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing. … He ignored the crowd that was getting in his way. He instead climbed a sycamore tree, a tree of “silly fruit.” As the apostle says, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block indeed to the Jews, [now notice the sycamore] but folly to the Gentiles.” Finally, the wise people of this world laugh at us about the cross of Christ and say, “What sort of minds do you people have, who worship a crucified God?” What sort of minds do we have? They are certainly not your kind of mind. “The wisdom of this world is folly with God.” No, we do not have your kind of mind. You call our minds foolish. Say what you like, but for our part, let us climb the sycamore tree and see Jesus. The reason you cannot see Jesus is that you are ashamed to climb the sycamore tree.

Let Zacchaeus grasp the sycamore tree, and let the humble person climb the cross. That is little enough, merely to climb it. We must not be ashamed of the cross of Christ, but we must fix it on our foreheads, where the seat of shame is. Above where all our blushes show is the place we must firmly fix that for which we should never blush. As for you, I rather think you make fun of the sycamore, and yet that is what has enabled me to see Jesus. You make fun of the sycamore, because you are just a person, but “the foolishness of God is wiser than men.Sermon 174.3.

The Lord Jesus is always ready to make his home with each one of us. Do you make room for him in your heart and in every area of your life?

"Si Jesus nagpamangkot sa iya, 'Ano bala ang imo gusto nga himuon ko sa imo?"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 18:35-43)

Sang malapit na sila ni Jesus sa Jerico, may isa ka bulag nga nagapungko sa higad sang dalan nga nagapakilimos.

Pagkabati niya nga nagaalagi ang madamo nga mga tawo, nagpamangkot siya kon ano yadto.

Ginsugiran nila siya nga nagaagi si Jesus nga taga-Nazaret.

Pagkahibalo niya sadto nagsinggit siya, "Jesus, kaliwat ni David, kaluoyi ako!"

Ginsaway siya sang mga tawo nga maghipos. Pero gintuduhan pa gid gani niya ang pagsinggit, "Kaliwat ni David, kaluoyi ako!"

Dayon nagpundo si Jesus kag nagsugo nga dalhon ang bulag sa iya. Pag-abot sang bulag ginpamangkot siya ni Jesus, "Ano bala ang imo gusto nga himuon ko sa imo?" Nagsabat ang bulag, "Ginoo, gusto ko nga makakita liwat."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Makakita ka na. Ang imo pagtuo nag-ayo sa imo."

Kag sa gilayon nakakita siya. Dayon nagsunod siya kay Jesus nga nagadayaw sa Dios. Pagkakita sang mga tawo sini, nagdayaw sila sa Dios.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may see and understand the truth and goodness of your word. May I never fail to recognize your presence with me and to call upon your saving grace in my time of need and healing."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? Such a moment came for a blind and destitute man who heard that Jesus was passing by. The Gospel of Mark identifies this man as Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). This blind man was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need. He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah. It took raw courage and persistence for Bartimaeus to get the attention of Jesus over the din of a noisy throng who crowded around Jesus as he made his way out of town. Why was the crowd annoyed with the blind man's persistent shouts? He was disturbing their peace and interrupting their conversation with Jesus. It was common for a rabbi to teach as he walked with others. Jesus was on his way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem and a band of pilgrims followed him. When the crowd tried to silence the blind man he overpowered them with his loud emotional outburst and thus caught the attention of Jesus.

This incident reveals something important about how God interacts with us. The blind man was determined to get Jesus' attention and he was persistent in the face of opposition. Jesus could have ignored or rebuffed him because he was interrupting his talk and disturbing his audience. Jesus showed that acting was more important than talking. This man was in desparate need and Jesus was ready not only to empathize with his suffering but to relieve it as well. A great speaker can command attention and respect, but a man or woman with a helping hand and a big heart is loved more. Jesus commends Bartimaeus for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith and grants him physical sight as well. Do you recognize your need for God's healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, like Bartimaeus, with persistent faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?

Bartimaeus was not only grateful for the gift of faith and the gift of physical sight, but for the opportunity to now follow Jesus as one of his disciples. Luke tells us us that he immediately followed Jesus and gave glory to God. The crowd also gave praise to God when they saw this double miracle of spiritual and physical vision. Clement of Alexandria, a 4th century church father, comments on this double vision:

Now that he was delivered from his blindness, did he neglect the duty of loving Christ? He certainly did not. It says, “He followed him, offering him glory like to God.” He was set free from double blindness. Not only did he escape from the blindness of the body but also from that of the mind and heart. He would not have glorified him as God, had he not possessed spiritual vision. He became the means of others giving Christ glory, for it says that all the people gave glory to God.(Commentary on Luke, Homily 126)

 Do you give glory to God for giving you the eyes of faith to recognize him as your Lord and Healer?

"Ako nga Anak sang Tawo magabalik kaangay sang kilat nga nagakirab"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:20-25)

May mga Pariseo nga nagpamangkot kay Jesus kon san-o magaabot ang paghari sang Dios. Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Sa pagsugod sang paghari sang Dios wala sing tanda nga makita.

Gani wala sing may makasiling, 'Yari diri, tan-awa ninyo!' ukon, 'Yadto didto!'; kay ang paghari sang Dios yara mismo sa inyo."

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa iya mga sumulunod, "Magaabot ang tion nga magahandom kamo nga kuntani makita ninyo ako nga Anak sang Tawo bisan isa lang ka adlaw, pero indi pa ina matabo.

May mga tawo nga magasiling sa inyo, 'Didto siya!' ukon 'Yari siya!' Indi kamo magpati sa ila ukon magpangita sa akon.

Kay ako nga Anak sang Tawo magabalik kaangay sang kilat nga nagakirab sa palibot.

Pero madamo anay nga mga pag-antos ang akon dapat pagaagihan. Pagasikwayon ako sang mga tawo sa sini nga tiyempo.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus Christ, may your kingdom come and my your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Be the Ruler of my heart and the Master of my life that I may always live in the freedom of your love and truth."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Meditation: What can lightning tell us about the coming of the Lord and his kingdom? The Jews is Jesus' time were watching in great anticipation for some sign which would indicate when the Messiah would appear to establish the kingdom of God. The Pharisees' question on this matter was intended to test Jesus since they did not accept him as the Messiah. Jesus surprised them with the answer that the kingdom or reign of God was already here! Jesus spoke of the coming of God's kingdom as both a present event and an event which would be manifested at the end of time. The "Day of the Lord" was understood in the Old Testament as the time when God would manifest his glory and power and overthrow the enemies of his people, Israel. The prophet Amos declared that the "Day" also meant judgment for Israel as well as the nations (Amos 5:18-20). The prophet Joel proclaimed that at this "Day" those who truly repented would be saved, while those who remained enemies of the Lord, whether Jew or Gentile, would be punished (see Joel 2).

Why did Jesus associate lightning with the "Day of the Lord"? In the arrid climate of Palestine, storms were infrequent and seasonal. They appeared suddenly and unexpectedly, seemingly out of nowhere, covering everthing in thick darkness. With little or no warning lightning filled the sky with its piercing flashes of flaming light. Its power struck terror and awe in those who tried to flee from its presence. Jesus warned the Pharisees that the "Son of man" (a title for the Messiah given in the Book of Daniel 7:13-15) would come in like manner, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, on the clouds of heaven to bring God's judgment on the "Day of the Lord". No special sign will be needed to announce his appearance. Nor will his presence and power be veiled or hidden, but all will recognize him as clearly as the lightning in the sky.

Jesus identified himself with the "Day of the Lord". "Son of man" was understood as a Messianic title for the one who would come not only to establish God's kingdom but who would come as Judge of the living as well as the dead. Jesus points to his second coming when he will return to complete the work of restoration and final judgment. While we do not know the time of his return, we will not mistake it when it happens. It will be apparent to all, both believers and non-believers as well. When the Pharisees asked Jesus what sign would indicate the "Day of the Lord", Jesus replied that only one sign would point to that day and that sign was Jesus himself. Jesus surprised the Jews of his time by announcing that God's kingdom was already present among them in his very person – the Son of God sent from the Father to redeem the world from sin and destruction. In Jesus we see the power and the glory of God's kingdom. His power overthrew the powers of darkness and sin. Jesus knew that the only way to victory was through the cross. On that cross he defeated death and canceled the debt of sin for us. The victory of his cross opens the way for us to become citizens of God's kingdom. Do you seek the coming of God's kingdom with joyful hope?

"Gub-a ninyo ining templo sang Dios kag sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw patindugon ko ini liwat"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 2:13-22)

Nagahilapit na ang Piesta sang Pascua sang mga Judio, gani si Jesus nagpa-Jerusalem. 

May nakita sia nga mga tawo didto sa templo nga nagabaligya sang mga baka, mga karnero, kag mga pating, kag ang mga manugbaylo man sang kuwarta nga yara sa ila mga lamisa. 

Naghimo si Jesus sang inughanot nga lubid kag iya ginpanabog ang tanan nga mga sapat pa gwa sa templo, ang mga karnero kag mga baka. Ginpamaliskad niya ang mga lamisa sang mga manugbaylo sang kuwarta, kag ginwas-ag niya ang ila mga kuwarta; kag ginmanduan niya ang mga manugbaligya sang pating, "Kuhaa ninyo ina diri! Indi ninyo paghimoa nga balaligyaan ang balay sang akon Amay!" 

Nadumdoman sang iya mga gintuton-an nga ang kasulatan nagasiling, "Ang akon kabalaka sa imo balay, O Dios, nagadabdab sa sulod nakon subong sang kalayo." 

Ang mga pangulo sang mga Judio nagpamangkot sa iya, "Anobala nga milagro ang imo mahimo sa pagpakita sa amon nga may katarungan ka sa paghimo sini?" 

Si Jesus nagsabat, "Gub-a ninyo ining templo sang Dios kag sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw patindugon ko ini liwat." 

Namangkot sila sa iya, "Ini nga templo ginpatindog sa sulod sang 46 ka tuig, kag patindugon mo bala ini sa sulod sang tatlo lamang ka adlaw?" 

Pero ang templo nga ginsiling ni Jesus amo ang iya lawas. 

Gani sang nabanhaw sia, nadumdoman sang iya mga gintuton-an nga ginhambal niya ini, kag nagtuo sila sa kasulatan kag sa mga pulong nga ginhambal ni Jesus. 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus Christ, you open wide the door of your Father’s house and you bid us to enter confidently that we may worship in spirit and truth. Help me to draw near to your throne of mercy with gratitude and joy."  

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What can keep us from the presence of God? Jesus’ dramatic cleansing of the temple was seen by his disciples as a prophetic sign of God’s action. The temple was understood as the dwelling place of God among his people. When God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, he brought them through the sea, and finally to Mount Sinai where he made a covenant with them and gave them a new way of life embodied in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). God gave Moses instruction for worship and for making the Tabernacle, or tent of meeting, which was later replaced by the temple. The New Testament tells us that these “serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary” – God’s Temple in heaven (Hebrews 8:5). Jesus’ cleansing of the temple is also a prophetic sign of what he wants to do with each of us. He ever seeks to cleanse us of sin and make us living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Do you want to be holy as God is holy? 

Jesus referred to the temple as his Father’s house which was being made into “house of trade” (John 2:16) or “den of robbers” (Mark 11:17). That is why he used physical force to expel the money-chargers. The prophecy of Malachi foretold the coming of the Lord unexpectedly to his Temple to “purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the Lord” (Malachi 3:1-4). Jesus' disciples recalled the words of Psalm 69: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” This was understood as a Messianic prophecy. Here the disciples saw more clearly Jesus as the Messiah who burned with zeal for God's house. The Jewish authorities, however, wanted proof that Jesus had divine authority to act as he did. They demanded a sign from God to prove Jesus right, otherwise, they would treat him as an imposter and a usurper of their authority. Jesus replied that the sign God would give would be Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews did not understand that the temple Jesus referred to was his own body. The “tent of his body” had to be destroyed to open the way to the presence of God for us. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus not only reconciles us with God, but he fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes us temples of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God's word enlightens our minds and purifies our hearts that we may offer God fitting worship and enjoy his presence both now and forever. Do you burn with zeal for the Lord’s house?

"Hunahunaon ninyo nga kamo mga suluguon lang nga nagatuman sang inyo katungdanan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:7-10)

Nagsiling pa gid si Jesus sa ila, "Halimbawa, may suluguon ka nga nagaarado ukon nagabantay sang imo mga sapat, kag bag-o lang siya makapauli halin sa iya obra. Bilang agalon magasiling bala ikaw sa iya, 'Dali kaon na!'?

Siyempre indi, kundi magasiling ikaw, 'Abi, himusi ako sang akon panihapon kag magserbi ka sa akon. Pagkatapos ikaw naman ang magkaon.'

Wala ginapasalamati ang suluguon tungod kay ginahimo lang niya ang iya katungdanan.

Gani kamo man, sa tapos nga inyo mahimo ang ginapahimo sa inyo, hunahunaon ninyo nga kamo mga suluguon lang nga nagatuman sang inyo katungdanan."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love, gratitude and generosity. Make me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I generously pour out my life in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured yourself out in love for me."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Are you ready to give the Lord your best, regardless of what it might cost you? Perhaps we are like the laborer in Jesus' parable who expected special favor and reward for going the extra mile? How unfair for the master to compel his servant to give more than what was expected! Don't we love to assert our rights: "I will give only what is required and no more!" But who can satisfy the claims of love? Jesus used this parable of the dutiful servant to explain that we can never put God in our debt or make the claim that God owes us something. We must regard ourselves as God's servants, just as Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Service of God and of neighbor is both a voluntary or free act and a sacred duty. One can volunteer for service or be compelled to do service for one's country or one's family when special needs arise. Likewise, God expects us to give him the worship and praise which is his due. And he gladly accepts the free-will offering of our lives to him and to his service. What makes our offering pleasing to God is the love we express in the gift of self-giving. True love is sacrificial, generous, and selfless.

How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) because he is the author of life and source of all relationships. He created us in love for love and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12). God honors the faithful servant who loves and serves others generously. He is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. We must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We have no claim on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have done our best, we have simply done our duty. We can never outmatch God in doing good and showing love. God loves us without measure. Does the love of God compel you to give your best?

"Indi siya ang mangin kabangdanan nga magpakasala ang isa sining mga kubos"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:1-6)

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya mga sumulunod, "Indi mahimo nga indi mag-abot ang mga pagsulay. Pero kaluluoy ang tawo nga mangin kabangdanan sang pagpakasala sang iya isigkatawo. 

Mas maayo pa sa iya nga higtan ang iya liog sang galingan nga bato kag itagbong siya sa dagat sang sa mangin kabangdanan siya nga magpakasala ang isa sining mga kubos. 

Gani mag-andam kamo! "Kon makasala ang imo utod sa imo, sawaya siya. Kag kon maghinulsol siya, patawara siya. 

Kon sa sulod sang isa ka adlaw makapito siya makasala sa imo, kag kada makasala siya nagapangayo siya sing patawad, patawara siya." 

5 Nagsiling ang mga apostoles sa iya, "Ginoo, dugangi ang amon pagtuo!" 

Nagsabat ang Ginoo sa ila, "Kon may pagtuo kamo nga pareho lang kadako sa binhi sang mustasa, sarang kamo makasiling sa sini nga kahoy, 'Gabuta ang imo kaugalingon kag magsaylo sa dagat!' Kag mapati ini sa inyo." 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, you give us victory over the destructive forces of sin and harmful desires that keep us from doing your will. Give me the strength to always choose what is good and to reject what is wrong. May your love rule my heart that I may forgive those who cause me harm and guide those who need your help." 

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What's the driving force in your life? Jesus speaks of two forces at work in our lives – the power of temptation to sin and cause harm and the power of faith to overcome obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of loving God and our neighbor. The Greek word for temptation (scandalon) is the same as the English word scandal. The original meaning of scandal is a trap or a stumbling block which causes one to trip and fall. The scriptures warn us about the snare or enticement to go astray and to do what is evil. Keep me from the trap which they have laid for me, and from the snares of evildoers! (Psalm 141:9) Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling (1 John 2:10). The Jews held that it was an unforgivable sin to teach another to sin. If we teach another to sin, he or she in turn may teach still another, until a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Jesus warns his disciples of the terrible responsibility that they must set no stumbling block in the way of another, that is, not give offense or bad example that might lead another to sin. The young in faith are especially vulnerable to the bad example of those who should be passing on the faith. 

While Jesus warns against the danger of giving bad example and causing scandal, he also demonstrates the power of faith for overcoming obstacles and temptation to sin. What did Jesus mean when he said that our faith can move trees and mountains as well (see Matthew17:20; Mark 11:23)? The term "mountain remover" was used for someone who could solve great problems and difficulties. Don't we often encounter challenges and difficulties which seem beyond our power to handle? What appears impossible to human power is possible to those who believe in God's power. Faith is a gift freely given by God to help us know God personally, to understand his truth, and to live in the power of his love. God expects more from us than we can simply do by ourselves. That is why Jesus gives us the gift and power of the Holy Spirit who helps us to grow strong in faith, persevere in hope, and endure in love. Faith in God is the key for removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We belong to God and our lives are no longer our own. Our joy and privilege is to follow the Lord Jesus and to serve in the power of his love and goodness. The Lord Jesus is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. For our faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and with obedience – an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Do you trust in the grace and strength which God freely gives to help us resist temptation and to overcome obstacles in doing his will?

The foolish will miss heaven’s wedding feast

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 25:1-13)

"Pag-abot sang sina nga adlaw, mapaanggid ang paghari sang Dios sa napulo ka mga dalaga nga nagadala sang ila mga suga kay masugata sila sa nobyo nga kalaslon. 

Ang lima sa ila indi mainandamon kag ang lima mainandamon. 

Ang lima ka indi mainandamon nagdala sang ila mga suga, ugaling wala sila nagdala sang reserba nga lana agod nga kon maubos ang lana sa ila suga may inugtughong pa sila. 

Ang mga dalaga nga mainandamon nagdala man sang ila mga suga kag nagdala pa gid sang reserba nga lana. 

Kag tungod nga madugay mag-abot ang nobyo gintuyo sila kag natulugan sila tanan. 

"Sang tungang gab-i na may nagsinggit, 'Yari na ang nobyo! Dali kamo, sugataa ninyo siya.' 

Ang napulo ka mga dalaga nagbugtaw kag ginpreparar nila ang ila mga suga. 

Dayon ang mga dalaga nga indi mainandamon nagsiling sa mga mainandamon, 'Hatagi kami sang inyo lana kay nagapiraw na ang amon suga.' 

Nagsabat sila, 'Indi mahimo, kay kon hatagan namon kamo pareho kita nga kulangon. Magkadto na lang kamo sa mga tiyanggi kag magbakal sang para sa inyo. 

Paghalin nila agod magbakal sang lana amo man ang pag-abot sang nobyo. Ang lima nga nakapreparar nag-upod sa iya sa punsyon. Pagsulod nila, ginsiraduhan dayon ang puwertahan. 

"Dugay-dugay nag-abot man ang lima ka mga dalaga nga nagbakal sang lana, kag nagpanawag, 'Sir, sir, pasudla kami.' 

Pero nagsabat ang nobyo, 'Wala ako makakilala sa inyo.' "

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Amo ina nga kinahanglan gid nga magbantay kamo kay wala gid kamo makahibalo kon san-o nga adlaw ukon oras ako maabot." 

Prayers:

“Lord Jesus, make me vigilant and attentive to your voice that I may heed your call at all times. May I find joy in your presence and delight in doing your will.”  

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Are you missing out on what's most important in life? Being unprepared can lead to unnecessary trouble and even disaster! What good is a life-jacket left on the shore when the boat is sinking? Jesus’story of ten single ladies waiting for a wedding procession in the middle of the night seems strange to most westerners today. But Jesus' audience knew all too well how easily this could happen to them. Wedding customs in ancient Palestine required extra vigilance and preparation for everyone involved. (Some near eastern villages still follow this custom.) The bride and groom did not go away for their honeymoon, but celebrated for a whole week with their family and friends. It was the custom for the groom, in company with his friends, to come at his discretion and get his bride and bring her to their new home. They would take the longest route possible so that many villagers along the way could join in the wedding procession. Once they arrived and closed the doors, no one else could be admitted. If the groom decided to come and bring his bride at night, then lights were required by necessity to guide the travelers through the dark and narrow streets. No one was allowed on the village streets at night without a lamp! To show up for a wedding party without proper attire and travel arrangements is like trying to get into a special event today that requires a prearranged permit or reservation. You just don’t get in without the proper pass. Can you imagine the frustration travelers might experience when going abroad and finding out that they can’t get into some country because they dont have the right visa or a valid passport. 

Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, students cannot prepare for their exams when the day of testing is already upon them. A person cannot get the right kind of character, strength, and skill required for a task at hand unless they already possess it, such as a captain with courage and nautical skills who must steer a ship through a dangerous storm at sea. When the Lord Jesus comes to lead you to his heavenly banquet will you be ready to hear his voice and follow? Our eternal welfare depends on our hearing, and many have trained themselves to not hear. We will not be prepared to meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the day of judgment, unless we listen to him today. The Lord invites us to feast at his heavenly banquet table. Are you ready?

"Mga manugsukot sang buhis kag iban pa nga mga tawo nga ginakabig nga makasasala ang nagpalapit kay Jesus"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 15:1-10)

Madamo nga mga manugsukot sang buhis kag iban pa nga mga tawo nga ginakabig nga makasasala ang nagpalapit kay Jesus sa pagpamati sang iya mga pagpanudlo.

Nagkumod ang mga Pariseo kag ang mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan. Siling nila, "Ini nga tawo nagabaton sang mga makasasala, kag nagaupod sa ila sa pagkaon!"

Gani ginsugiran sila ni Jesus sang mga paanggid. Siling niya, "Halimbawa, may tawo nga may 100 ka karnero. Ang isa nadula. Ti ano ang iya himuon? Siyempre bayaan niya anay ang 99 sa halalban kag pangitaon ang nadula hasta nga makita niya ini.

Kon makita na niya magakalipay siya kag pas-anon niya ini pauli.

Pag-abot niya sa ila balay panawgon niya ang iya mga abyan kag mga kaingod kag magsiling, 'Dali kamo, magkalipay kita, kay nakita ko na ang akon karnero nga nadula.' "

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Kaangay man sina didto sa langit. Mas dako ang kalipay tungod sa isa ka makasasala nga nagahinulsol sang sa 99 nga mga matarong nga indi kinahanglan nga maghinulsol."

"Ukon halimbawa may isa ka babayi nga may napulo ka sinsilyo. Ano ayhan ang iya himuon kon madula ang isa? Siyempre sindihan niya ang suga kag silhigan sing maayo ang iya balay agod pangitaon ang sinsilyo hasta nga makita niya ini.

Kon makita na niya ini, panawgon niya ang iya mga amiga kag mga kaingod kag magsiling, 'Magkalipay kita, kay nakita ko na ang akon sinsilyo nga nadula.' "

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Kaangay man sina ang kalipay sang mga anghel sang Dios sa langit kon ang isa ka makasasala maghinulsol."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, let your light dispel the darkness that what is lost may be found and restored. Let your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you. May I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you ever feel resentful or get upset when someone else gets an unearned favor or gets treated better than you think they deserve? The scribes and Pharisees took great offense at Jesus because he went out of his way to meet with sinners and he treated them graciously like they were his friends. The Pharisees had strict regulations about how they were to keep away from sinners, lest they incur ritual defilement. They were not to entrust money to them or have any business dealings with them, nor trust them with a secret, nor entrust orphans to their care, nor accompany them on a journey, nor give their daughter in marriage to any of their sons, nor invite them as guests or be their guests. They were shocked with the way in which Jesus freely received sinners and ate with them. Sinners, nonetheless, were drawn to Jesus to hear him speak about the mercy of God. Jesus characteristically answered the Pharisees' charge with a parable or lesson drawn from everyday life.

What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep and a lost coin 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. The housewife who lost a coin faced something of an economic disaster, since the value of the coin would be equivalent to her husband's daily wage. What would she say to her husband when he returned home from work? They were poor and would suffer greatly because of the loss. Her grief and anxiety turn to joy when she finds the coin. Both the shepherd and the housewife "search until what they have lost is found." Their persistence pays off. They both instinctively share their joy with the whole community. The poor are particularly good at sharing in one another's sorrows and joys. 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. Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you persistently pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?

"Gani magkalipay gid kamo kay dako nga balos ang inyo mabaton didto sa langit"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 5:1-12)

Sang makita ni Jesus ang madamo nga mga tawo, nagtaklad siya sa bakulod kag nagpungko didto. Nagpalapit sa iya ang iya mga sumulunod, kag nagpanudlo siya sa ila nga nagasiling, "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga nagakilala nga nagkulang sila sa Dios, kay sakop sila sa paghari sang Dios.

"Bulahan ang mga nagakasubo, kay lipayon sila sang Dios.

"Bulahan ang mga malulo, kay mangin ila ang kalibutan.

"Bulahan ang mga tawo nga luyag gid maghimo sang kabubut-on sang Dios, kay buligan sila sang Dios sa pagtuman sina nga handom.

"Bulahan ang mga maluluy-on, kay kaluoyan sila sang Dios.

"Bulahan ang mga tawo nga matinlo ang ila tagipusuon, kay makita nila ang Dios.

"Bulahan ang mga tawo nga nagapaluntad sang paghidaet sa mga tawo, kay pagatawgon sila nga mga anak sang Dios.

"Bulahan ang mga tawo nga ginahingabot tungod sa ila pagsunod sa kabubut-on sang Dios, kay sakop sila sa paghari sang Dios.

"Bulahan kamo kon tungod sa inyo pagsunod sa akon ginayaguta kamo, ginahingabot, kag ginabutang-butangan sang tanan nga kalainan.

Gani magkalipay gid kamo kay dako nga balos ang inyo mabaton didto sa langit."

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting peace and happiness. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in doing your will."

*** 

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What is the good life which God intends for us? And how is it related with the ultimate end or purpose of life? Is it not our desire and longing for true happiness, which is none other than the complete good, the sum of all goods, leaving nothing more to be desired? Jesus addresses this question in his sermon on the mount. The heart of Jesus' message is that we can live a very happy life. The call to holiness, to be saints who joyfully pursue God's will for their lives, can be found in these eight beatitudes. Jesus' beatitudes sum up our calling or vocation – to live a life of the beatitudes. The word beatitude literally means "happiness" or "blessedness".

What is the significance of Jesus' beatitudes, and why are they so central to his teaching? The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness that God has placed in every heart. They teach us the final end to which God calls us, namely the coming of God's kingdom (Matthew 4:17), the vision of God (Matthew 5:8; 1 John 2;1), entering into the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21-23) and into his rest (Hebrews 4:7-11). Jesus' beatitudes also confront us with decisive choices concerning the life we pursue here on earth and the use we make of the goods he puts at our disposal. God alone satisfies. Theresa of Avila's prayer book contained a bookmark which she wrote: "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices." Is God enough for you? God offers us the greatest good possible – abundant life in Jesus Christ (John 10:10) and the promise of unending joy and happiness with God. Do you seek the highest good, the total good, which is above all else?

The beatitudes which Jesus offers us are a sign of contradiction to the world's understanding of happiness and joy. How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? Poverty of spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and spiritual oppression. God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No one can live without joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone?