"Pangayo sa ngalan ni Jesus, agod nga ang inyo kalipay manginbug-os”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 16:23-28)

“Kon mag-abot ina nga adlaw, indi kamo magpangayo sa akon sang bisan ano nga butang. Nagasiling ako sa inyo sang matuod: ang Amay magahatag sa inyo sang bisan ano nga inyo pangayuon sa akon ngalan.

Tubtob karon wala pa kamo makapangayo sang bisan ano sa akon ngalan; pangayo kamo kag kamo magabaton, agod nga ang inyo kalipay manginbug-os.” 

“Ginsugid ko ini nga mga butang sa inyo paagi sa mga palaanggiran. Pero magaabot ang tion nga indi na ako maggamit sang mga palaanggiran, kundi magahambal sa inyo sing maathag nahanungod sa Amay.

Kon mag-abot ina nga adlaw magapangayo kamo sa iya sa akon ngalan, kag wala ako nagasiling nga kinahanglan pa nga magapangayo ako sa Amay para sa inyo, kay ang Amay mismo nagahigugma sa inyo. Ginahigugma niya kamo kay kamo nagahigugma sa akon kag nagatuo nga ako nagikan sa Dios. 

Nagikan gid ako sa Amay kag nagkari sa kalibutan; kag karon magabiya ako sang kalibutan kag magakadto sa Amay.”

Prayers

"Heavenly Father, your love knows no bounds and your mercies are new every day. Fill me with gratitude for your countless blessings and draw me near to your throne of grace and mercy. Give me confidence and boldness to pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

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Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you pray with confidence to your heavenly Father? Jesus often taught his disciples by way of illustration or parable. Here he speaks not in "figures" (the same word used for parables), but in plain speech. Jesus revealed to them the hidden treasure of the heavenly kingdom and he taught them how to pray to the Father in his name. Now Jesus opens his heart and speaks in the plainest of language: "The Father himself loves you!" How can the disciples be certain of this? Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes it possible for his disciples to have a new relationship with God as their Father. No one would have dared to call God his Father before this! Because of what Jesus has done for us in offering his life for our redemption we now have a new relationship as the adopted children of God. Paul the Apostles says that "when we cry, ‘Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16). We can boldly approach God as our Father and ask him for the things we need. In love he bids us to draw near to his throne of grace and mercy. Do you approach the Father with confidence in his love and with expectant faith in his promise to hear your prayers?

"Si Jesus gindala pa langit"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 24:46-53)

Nagsiling sia sa ila, “Amo ini ang nasulat: ang Cristo dapat mag-antos kag pagabanhawon sa ikatlo nga adlaw, kag sa iya ngalan ang mensahi nahanungod sang paghinulsol kag kapatawaran sang sala dapat iwali sa tanan nga kapungsoran, sugod sa Jerusalem.

Kamo ang mga saksi sini nga mga butang.

Kag ako akon magapadala sa inyo sang ginsaad sang akon Amay. Pero maghulat kamo anay sa Jerusalem tubtob nga ang gahom gikan sa ibabaw mag-abot sa inyo.”

Dayon gindala niya sila sa gwa sang siyudad tubtob sa Betania sa diin ginbayaw niya ang iya mga kamot kag ginbendisyunan sila.

Samtang nagabendisyon sia sa ila, nagbulag sia sa ila kag gindala sia pa langit.

Nagsimba sila sa iya kag nagbalik sila sa Jerusalem nga puno sang daku nga kalipay, kag didto sila pirme sa templo nga nagapasalamat sa Dios.

Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

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Reflections of the Daily Gospel:
Why did Jesus leave his disciples forty days after his resurrection? Forty is a significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the mountain of God. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus appeared numerous times to his disciples to assure them that he had risen indeed and to prepare them for the task of carrying on the work which he began during his earthy ministry.

Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the gospel – the good news of salvation – not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. God's love and gift of salvation is not reserved for a few or for one nation alone, but it is for the whole world – for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to release people from their burden of guilt, sin, and oppression, and the power to heal, restore, and make us whole. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?

This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

"Ang Espiritu magatuytoy sa inyo sa kamatuoran"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 16:12-15)

“May madamo pa ako nga inugsugid sa inyo, ugaling indi pa kamo sarang makahangop sini karon.

Pero kon mag-abot ang Espiritu sang kamatuoran, sia magatuytoy sa inyo sa bug-os nga kamatuoran. Ang iya ihambal indi iya, kundi magasugid sia sa inyo sang iya nabatian, kag magapahayag sia sang mga butang nga palaabuton.

Magahimaya sia sa akon, kay sia magabaton sang akon inugsiling kag iya ini ipahayag sa inyo.

Ang tanan nga iya sang Amay akon, gani nagsiling ako nga ang Espiritu magabaton sang akon inugsiling kag iya ini ipahayag sa inyo.”

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and guide me in your way of life and truth. Free me from ignorance of your ways, and from deception caused by sinful pride and rebellion. May I love you wholly with all of my strength, mind, and will and seek to please you in all things."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What would you give to know all truth! Truth, however, is not something we create nor is it our discovery. It is the gift of God who is the possessor and the giver of all truth. Jesus tells his disciples that it is the role of the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true. How can this be? Skeptics of truth don't want to believe in an absolute Truth. If truth is objective then it must be submitted to as authoritative. Some fear the truth because they think it will inhibit their freedom to act and think as they wish. Jesus told his disciples that the truth will set you free (John 8:32). The truth liberates us from doubts, illusions, and fears. Since God is the source of all truth, then the closer we draw to him and listen to his word, the more we grow in the knowledge of him and of his great love and wisdom for us.

Jesus told his disciples that he would send them the Spirit of truth who will guide you into all the truth ..and declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:13). Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit poured out on the new community of faith on the day of Pentecost, we too are able to profess the same creed which the apostles proclaimed – that Jesus died, and was buried, and rose again on the third day, and will come again to judge, raise the dead, and give everlasting life (the Apostles Creed). We not only have the same faith given to the apostles and early believers, but we have the same Spirit in us who raised Jesus from the dead. The Lord Jesus gives each of us his Holy Spirit as our divine Teacher and Helper that we may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God. Do you listen attentively to God's word and allow his Holy Spirit to give you understanding of God's truth and will for your life?

"Ipadala ko ang Mananabang sa inyo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 16:5-11)

Pero karon makadto na ako sa nagpadala sa akon, kag wala gid sing may nagapamangkot sa inyo kon diin ako makadto.

Anay nga nasugiran ko na kamo, nagakasubo gid kamo.

Pero nagasiling ako sa inyo sang matuod: mas maayo para sa inyo nga maglakat ako, kay kon indi ako maglakat, ang Mananabang indi magkari sa inyo. Pero kon makalakat ako, ipadala ko sia sa inyo. 

Kag kon mag-abot sia, ipakilala niya sa mga tawo sang kalibutan nga nagsayop sila nahanungod sang sala, sang katarungan, kag sang paghukom sang Dios.

Nagsayop sila nahanungod sang sala, kay wala sila magtuo sa akon; sang katarungan, kay ako magakadto sa Amay kag indi na kamo makakita sa akon; sang paghukom sang Dios, kay ang nagagahom sini nga kalibutan nahukman na. 

Prayers:

"Come Holy Spirit, and let the fire of your love burn in my heart. Let me desire only what is pure, lovely, holy and good and in accord with the will of God and give me the courage to put away all that is not pleasing in your sight."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Why does God seem far from us at times? Separation and loss of relationship often lead to grief and pain. The apostles were filled with sorrow when Jesus spoke about his imminent departure. Jesus explained that it was for their sake that he must leave them and return to his Father. He promised, however, that they would never be left alone. He will send in his place the best of friends, the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:39). By sending the Holy Spirit to his followers, the Lord Jesus makes his presence known to us in a new and on-going way. We are not left as orphans, but the Lord himself dwells within us through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:9; 6:16b).

Jesus tells his disciples three very important things about the work of the Holy Spirit – to convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. The original word for convince also means convict. The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier. He makes us holy as God is holy. He does this first by convicting us of our sin and by bringing us humbly to the foot of the Cross. The Spirit convinces us of God's love and forgiveness and of our utter dependence on God for his mercy and grace. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us from the error of our sinful ways and to show us the way of love and truth.

The Jews who condemned Jesus as a heretic and blasphemer thought they were serving God rather than sinning when they crucified Jesus. When the gospel was later preached on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37), many were pricked in their heart and convicted of their sin. What made them change their mind about Jesus? It is the work of the Holy Spirit to both convict us of wrongdoing and to convince us of God's truth. The Spirit convinces us of the righteousness of Christ, backed by the fact that Jesus rose again and went to his Father. The Holy Spirit also convicts us of judgment. The Spirit gives us the inner and unshakable conviction that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. God's judgments are just and good. When we heed his judgments we find true peace, joy and reconciliation with God. Do you allow the Holy Spirit free reign in your life that he may set you free from the grip of sin and set you ablaze with the fire of God's love?

"Kon mag-abot ang Mananabang, ang Espiritu sang kamatuoran"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 15:26-16:4)

“Pero kon mag-abot ang Mananabang, ang Espiritu sang kamatuoran nga ipadala ko gikan sa Amay, sia magasaksi nahanungod sa akon.

Kag kamo man magapanaksi para sa akon kay kamo kaupod ko halin sa ginsugoran.

“Ginsugid ko ini sa inyo agod indi malingkang ang inyo pagtuo.

Tabugon nila kamo sa mga sinagoga; kag magaabot ang tion nga ang makapatay sa inyo magahunahona nga nagaalagad sia sa Dios sa iya paghimo sini.

Himuon nila ini sa inyo, kay wala sila makakilala sa Amay ukon sa akon.

Pero ginasugid ko ini sa inyo, agod nga kon mag-abot ang tion nga himuon nila ini sa inyo, madumdoman ninyo nga ginsugiran ko na kamo sini.”

Prayers:

"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109)

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Where do you find help and support when you most need it? True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers his disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour he was to be glorified – through his death on the cross and his resurrection – he revealed more fully to his disciples the person and role of the Holy Spirit.

What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life – the very life of God – and who kindles faith in hearts receptive to God's word. The Spirit makes it possible for us to know God personally. He gives us experiential knowledge of God as our Father. The Spirit witnesses to our spirit that the Father has indeed sent his Son into the world to redeem it and has raised his Son Jesus from the dead and has seated him at his right hand in glory and power. The Holy Spirit reveals to us the knowledge, wisdom and plan of God for the ages and the Spirit enables us to see with the "eyes of faith" what the Father and the Son are doing. Through the gift and working of the Holy Spirit we become witnesses to the great work of God in Christ Jesus. Jesus warned his disciples that they could expect persecution just as Jesus was opposed and treated with hostility. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Spirit gives us courage and perseverance when we meet adversities and challenges. Do you pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in faith, hope and love and to give you courage and perseverance with hope when you meet adversities and challenges?

"Indi na kamo iya sining kalibutan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 15:18-21)

“Kon ginadumtan kamo sang kalibutan, dapat ninyo dumdomon nga ako ang una nga gindumtan sini. 

Kon iya kamo sang kalibutan, ang kalibutan magahigugma sa inyo subong nga iya sang kalibutan. Pero ginpili ko kamo gikan sa sining kalibutan kag indi na kamo iya sining kalibutan. Gani, ang kalibutan nagadumot sa inyo.

Dumdoma ang akon ginhambal sa inyo: ‘Wala sing ulipon nga labaw pa sa iya agalon.’ Kon ginhingabot nila ako, hingabuton man nila kamo. Kon gintuman nila ang akon pulong, ila man tumanon ang inyo mga pulong.

Pero ini tanan ila himuon sa inyo tungod kay akon kamo, kag wala sila makakilala sang nagpadala sa akon.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love fill my heart with an eagerness to please you in all things. May there be no rivals to my love and devotion to you who are my all."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What does Jesus mean when he says "you are not of this world"? The world in scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and opposed to his will. The world rejected the Lord Jesus, and his disciples can expect the same treatment. The Lord Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light or for the kingdom of darkness. The prophet Isaiah warned that people who separate themselves from God because of their rebellion and spiritual blindness would end up calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

If we want to live in the light of God's truth, how can we rightly distinguish good from evil? True love of God and his ways draw us to all that is lovely, truthful and good. If we truly love God then we will submit to his truth and obey his word. A friend of God cannot expect to be a friend of the world because the world opposes God. Jesus' demand is unequivocal and without compromise. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We must make a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to please God in all your thoughts, actions, and relationships? Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with the love of God (Romans 5:5).

Si Felipe nagsiling sa iya, “Ginoo, ipakita sa amon ang Amay"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 14:6-14)

Si Jesus nagsabat sa iya, “Ako amo ang dalan, ang kamatuoran, kag ang kabuhi; wala sing may makakadto sa Amay kon indi paagi sa akon.

Karon nga nakilala ninyo ako, inyo man makilala ang akon Amay, kag sugod karon inyo gid sia nakilala kag nakita.”

Si Felipe nagsiling sa iya, “Ginoo, ipakita sa amon ang Amay, kag tuman na ina para sa amon.”

Si Jesus nagsabat, “Dugay na ang aton pag-inupdanay, Felipe, kag wala pa ikaw makakilala sa akon? Ang nakakita sa akon nakakita sa Amay. Ngaa bala masiling ka, ‘Ipakita sa amon ang Amay’?

Felipe, wala ka bala nagatuo nga ako yara sa Amay kag ang Amay yari sa akon? Ang mga pulong nga ginhambal ko sa inyo, wala nagagikan sa akon. Ang Amay nga yari sa akon amo gid ang nagahimo sang iya mga buhat.

Magtuo kamo nga ako yara sa Amay, kag ang Amay yari sa akon. Kon indi gani, magtuo kamo tungod sining mga buhat.

Nagasiling ako sa inyo sang matuod: ang nagatuo sa akon magahimo sang mga buhat nga akon ginahimo, kag dalagku pa sini nga mga buhat ang iya himuon, kay ako magakadto sa Amay.

Kag akon himuon ang bisan ano nga inyo pangayuon sa akon ngalan, agod nga ang himaya sang Amay mapakita paagi sa Anak.

Kon kamo magpangayo sa akon sang bisan ano nga butang sa akon ngalan, akon ina pagahimuon.” 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the hope of everlasting life with God our Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may know and glorify him always." 

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What’s the greatest thing we can aim for in this life? – to know God. What is the best thing we can possess in this life, bringing more joy, contentment, and happiness, than anything else? – knowledge of God. Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). One of the greatest truths of the Christian faith is that we can know the living God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, but we can know God personally. The essence of Christianity, and what makes it distinct from Judaism and other religions, is the personal knowledge of God as our Father.

Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God – a God who cares intensely and who yearns over men and women, loving them to the point of laying down his life for them upon the Cross. Jesus is the revelation of God – a God who loves us unconditionally – without reservation, unselfishly – for our sake and not his, and perfectly – without neglecting or forgetting us even for a brief moment. Jesus promises that God the Father will hear our prayers when we pray in his name. That is why Jesus taught his followers to pray with confidence, Our Father who art in heaven ..give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:9,11; Luke 11:2-3). Do you pray to your Father in heaven with joy and confidence in his love and care for you?

"Magapabilin sa akon gugma"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 15:9-11)

Ginahigugma ko kamo subong nga ang Amay nagahigugma sa akon. Pabilin kamo sa akon gugma. 

Kon ginatuman ninyo ang akon mga sugo, magapabilin kamo sa akon gugma, subong nga ginatuman ko ang mga sugo sang akon Amay, kag nagapabilin sa iya gugma.

“Ginasugid ko ini sa inyo agod ang akon kalipay manginyara sa inyo, kag ang inyo kalipay manginbug-os.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, may I always grow in the joy and hope which your promises give me. Inflame my heart with love for you and your ways and with charity and compassion for my neighbor. May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from your love."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you know the love that no earthly power nor death itself can destroy? The love of God the Father and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ is a creative, life-giving love that produces immeasurable joy and lasting friendship for all who accept it. God loves the world so much because he created it to reflect his glory. And he created each one of us in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). He wants us to be united with himself in an inseparable bond of unity, peace, and joy that endures for all eternity. That is why the Father sent his Son, the Lord Jesus, into the world, not to condemn it, but to redeem it from the curse of sin and death (John 3:16-17). Paul the Apostle tells us that we can abound in joy and hope because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5).

Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, God offers pardon for all of our sins and failings, and he calls us to lay aside everything that might hold us back from loving him above all else. We owe him a debt of gratitude and love in return. We can never outgive God because he has loved us first and has given himself to us without measure. Our love for him is a response to his exceeding mercy and kindness towards us. In God's love alone can we find the fulness of abundant life, peace, and joy.

The Lord Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment – a new way of love that goes beyond giving only what is required or what we think others might deserve. What is the essence of Jesus' new commandment of love? It is love to the death – a purifying love that overcomes selfishness, fear, and pride. It is a total giving of oneself for the sake of others – a selfless and self-giving love that is oriented towards putting the welfare of others ahead of myself. There is no greater proof in love than the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of another. Jesus proved his love by giving his life for us on the cross of Calvary. Through the shedding of his blood for our sake, our sins are not only washed clean, but new life is poured out for us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We prove our love for God and for one another when we embrace the way of the cross. What is the cross in my life? When my will crosses with God's will, then God's will must be done. Do you know the peace and joy of a life fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?