"Lakat ka kag himoa ang subong man"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:25-37)

Lunes (Oktubre 7)

Dayon may isa ka manunodlo sang Kasugoan nga nagtindog sa pagdakupdakop kay Jesus paagi sa isa ka pamangkot, “Manunodlo, ano bala ang himuon ko agod maangkon ko ang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan?” 

Si Jesus nagsabat, “Ano bala ang ginasiling sang mga Kasulatan? Ano bala ang kahulogan sini sa imo?”

Ang tawo nagsabat, “ ‘Higugmaa ang Ginoo nga imo Dios sa bug-os mo nga tagipusoon, sa bug-os mo nga kalag, sa bug-os mo nga kusog, kag sa bug-os mo nga hunahona,’ kag, ‘Higugmaa ang imo isigkatawo subong sang imo kaugalingon.’ ”

Si Jesus nagsabat, “Husto ang imo sabat. Himoa ini kag magakabuhi ka.”

Pero ang manunodlo sang Kasugoan buot magpakamatarong sang iya kaugalingon, gani ginpamangkot niya si Jesus, “Sin-o bala ang akon isigkatawo?”

Si Jesus nagsabat, “May isa ka tawo nga nagdulhog pakadto sa Jerico halin sa Jerusalem nga ginbanggaan sang mga buyong. Ginkuha nila ang iya tanan nga pagkabutang pati ang iya bayu, ginbakol sia kag ginbayaan nga daw sa patay na.

May nag-agi nga isa ka pari sa sina nga dalan. Sang pagkakita niya sang tawo, naglikaw sia sa pihak sang dalan.

Sa amo man nga dalan may nag-agi nga isa ka Levita, kag sang pagkakita niya sang tawo iya lang gintan-aw kag naglikaw sia sa pihak sang dalan.

Pero may isa ka Samariahanon nga nakaagi sa amo nga dalan. Sang pagkakita niya sang tawo naluoy gid sia. 

Ginpalapitan niya ang tawo, ginhaplasan niya sing lana kag bino ang iya sini mga pilas kag ginbugkosan. Dayon ginpasakay niya sia sa iya kaugalingon nga asno, gindala sa dalayunan kag gin-atipan niya sia.

Sang madason nga adlaw nagkuha sia sing P40 kag ginhatag niya ini sa tag-iya sang dalayunan. Nagsiling sia sa iya, ‘Tatapa sia, kag sa akon pagbalik bayaran ko ikaw sang tanan nga magasto mo sa iya.’ ” 

Dayon si Jesus nagpamangkot, “Ti, sa imo abi, sin-o bala sa sining tatlo, ang nangin-isigkatawo sining tawo nga ginbanggaan sang mga buyong?”

Nagsabat sia, “Yadtong nagkaluoy gid sa iya.” Si Jesus nagsiling, “Ti, lakat ka kag himoa ang subong man.” 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, may your love always be the foundation of my life. Free me from every fear and selfish-concern that I may freely give myself in loving service to others, even to the point of laying my life down for their sake."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

If God is all-loving and compassionate, then why is there so much suffering and evil in this world? Many agnostics refuse to believe in God because of this seemingly imponderable problem. If God is love then evil and suffering must be eliminated in all its forms. What is God's answer to this human dilemma? Jesus' parable about a highway robbery gives us a helpful hint. Jesus told this dramatic story in response to a devout Jew who wanted to understand how to apply God's great commandment of love to his everyday life circumstances. In so many words this religious-minded Jew said: "I want to love God as best as I can and I want to love my neighbor as well. But how do I know that I am fulfilling my duty to love my neighbor as myself?" Jesus must have smiled when he heard this man challenge him to explain one's duty towards their neighbor. For the Jewish believer the law of love was plain and simple: "treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself." The real issue for this believer was the correct definition of who is "my neighbor". He understood "neighbor" to mean one's fellow Jew who belonged to the same covenant which God made with the people of Israel. Up to a certain point, Jesus agreed with this sincere expert but, at the same time, he challenged him to see that God's view of neighbor went far beyond his narrow definition.

Jesus told a parable to show how wide God's love and mercy is towards every fellow human being. Jesus's story of a brutal highway robbery was all too familiar to his audience. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho went through a narrow winding valley surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. Many wealthy Jews from Jerusalem had winter homes in Jerico. This narrow highway was dangerous and notorious for its robbers who could easily ambush their victim and escape into the hills. No one in his right mind would think of traveling through this dangerous highway alone. It was far safer to travel with others for protection and defense.

So why did the religious leaders refuse to give any help when they saw a half-dead victim lying by the roadside? Didn't they recognize that this victim was their neighbor? And why did a Samaritan, an outsider who was despised by the Jews, treat this victim with special care at his own expense as he would care for his own family? Who was the real neighbor who showed brotherly compassion and mercy? Jesus makes the supposed villain, the despised Samaritan, the merciful one as an example for the status conscious Jews. Why didn't the priest and Levite stop to help? The priest probably didn't want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity. His piety got in the way of charity. The Levite approached close to the victim, but stopped short of actually helping him. Perhaps he feared that bandits were using a decoy to ambush him. The Levite put personal safety ahead of saving his neighbor.

What does Jesus' story tell us about true love for one's neighbor? First, we must be willing to help even if others brought trouble on themselves through their own fault or negligence. Second, our love and concern to help others in need must be practical. Good intentions and showing pity, or emphathizing with others, are not enough. And lastly, our love for others must be as wide and as inclusive as God's love. God excludes no one from his care and concern. God's love is unconditional. So we must be ready to do good to others for their sake, just as God is good to us. Jesus not only taught God's way of love, but he showed how far God was willing to go to share in our suffering and to restore us to wholeness of life and happiness. Jesus overcame sin, suffering, and death through his victory on the cross. His death brought us freedom from slavery to sin and the promise of everlasting life with God. He willingly shared in our suffering to bring us to the source of true healing and freedom from sin and oppression. True compassion not only identifies and emphathizes with the one who is in pain, but takes that pain on oneself in order to bring freedom and restoration. Jesus truly identified with our plight, and he took the burden of our sinful condition upon himself. He showed us the depths of God's love and compassion, by sharing in our suffering and by offering his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins upon the cross. His suffering is redemptive because it brings us healing and restoration and the fulness of eternal life. God offers us true freedom from every form of oppression, sin, and suffering. And that way is through the cross of Jesus Christ. Are you ready to embrace the cross of Christ, to suffer for his sake, and to lay down your life out of love for your neighbor?

"Ginoo, dugangi ang amon pagtuo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:5-10)

Domingo (Oktubre 6)

Ang mga apostoles nagsiling sa Ginoo, “Dugangi ang amon pagtuo.”

Ang Ginoo nagsabat, “Kon may pagtuo kamo subong ka daku sang binhi sang mostasa makasiling kamo sa sining kahoy nga sikomoro, ‘Gabuta ang imo mga gamot kag itanom ang imo kaugalingon sa dagat!’ kag magatuman ini sa inyo.”

“Abi ang isa sa inyo may suloguon nga nagaarado ukon nagabantay sang mga karnero. Kon magpauli sia halin sa uma, nagasiling bala kamo sa iya, ‘Dali, kaon na’?

Wala gid kamo nagasiling sini. Sa baylo, nagasiling kamo sa iya, ‘Ihanda ang akon panihapon, mag-ilis ka kag magsirbe sa akon samtang nagakaon kag nagainom ako. Magkaon kag mag-inom ka ugaling kon tapos na ako.’

Indi bala nga wala gid kamo sing pasalamatan sa suloguon kon ang ginahimo niya amo lamang ang ginasugo sa iya?

Subong man ini sa inyo; sa tapos ninyo mahimo ang tanan nga ginsugo sa inyo, magsiling kamo, ‘Mga suloguon man lang kami. Gintuman lamang namon ang amon katungdanan.’ ”

Prayers:

"Lord, 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 for me."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What is the greatest force in the world? Jesus tells us that with faith we can do far more than we could accomplish by our own strength; faith can even move mountains and trees (see Matthew17:20; Mark 11:23)! What kind of faith did Jesus have in mind here? By faith Jesus meant more than just belief in God and in his power. Jesus spoke of faith as something dynamic, active, and very alive. Expectant faith is a gift God gives us for overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of doing God's will. It enables us to cooperate with God's grace and power for accomplishing whatever God wants us to do. To illustrate the powerful force of faith, Jesus used the image of an uprooted tree. Have you ever seen an uprooted tree caused by a sudden wind storm or flash flood? On another occasion Jesus illustrated the force of faith with the incredible image of a mountain transplanted: "For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20) The term "mountain remover" was used in Jesus' time for describing 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 do by ourselves. Faith in God is the key for removing obstacles and difficulties which keep us from doing his will. We are his servants, and he is ever ready to work through us and in us for his glory. For faith to be effective it must be linked with trust and obedience — an active submission to God and a willingness to do whatever he commands. Do you trust in God's grace and power to resist temptation and to overcome obstacles in doing his will?

Jesus’ parable of the dutiful laborers seems to suggest that we ought to always give our best, regardless of what we can expect in return. But, aren't we like the laborer in Jesus' parable who expected fair compensation for his day's work? How unfair for the master to compel him 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 which springs from a generous and merciful heart and a sacred duty which we owe to an all-merciful and gracious God. One can volunteer for public service or be compelled to do service for one's country. 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 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? God himself is Love (1 John 4:16) and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives what is good for the sake of others. 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 mercifully and gives generously. He wants to bless us richly with his gifts and graces and to work through and in 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 generous giving and loving service. Does the love of God compel you to give your best?

"Ang inyo ngalan nasulat sa langit"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:17-24)

Sabado (Oktubre 5)

Ang 72 nagbalik nga puno sang kalipay. Nagsiling sila, “Ginoo, bisan pa ang mga yawa nagtuman sa amon tungod sa imo ngalan!”

Si Jesus nagsabat sa ila, “Nakita ko si Satanas nga nahulog subong sang kilat gikan sa langit.

Pamatii ninyo ini! Ginhatag ko sa inyo ang gahom sa pagtapak sa mga man-og kag mga iwiiwi, kag sang tanan nga gahom sang Kaaway, kag wala sing bisan ano nga makahalit sa inyo.

Pero indi kamo magkalipay tungod kay ang malaut nga mga espiritu nagatuman sa inyo, kundi magkalipay kamo kay ang inyo ngalan nasulat sa langit.”

Sa amo nga takna si Jesus nga puno sing kalipay sang Espiritu Santo nagsiling, “O Amay, Ginoo sang langit kag duta, nagapasalamat ako sa imo kay ang imo gintago sa mga maalam kag may tinun-an imo ginpakita sa indi mga maalam. Huo, Amay, kay amo ini ang ginpakamaayo mo.

“Gintugyan sa akon sang Amay ang tanan nga butang. Wala sing may nakakilala sa Anak luas sa Amay, kag wala sing may nakakilala sa Amay luas sa Anak kag sa mga luyag sang Anak ipahayag ang Amay.”

Dayon si Jesus nag-atubang sa iya mga gintuton-an kag nagsiling sini sa ila lamang, “Bulahan kamo nga makakita sang mga butang nga inyo ginatan-aw.

Nagasiling ako sa inyo nga madamo sang mga propeta kag mga hari ang naghandom sa pagtan-aw sang inyo ginatan-aw karon, pero indi sila makakita, kag sa pagpamati sa inyo ginapamatian, pero wala sila makabati.” 

Prayers:

"Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfillment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you know and experience in your personal life the joy of the Lord? The scriptures tell us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Why does Jesus tell his disciples to not take joy in their own successes, even spiritual ones? Jesus makes clear that the true source of our joy is God himself, and God alone. Regardless of the circumstances, in good times and bad times, in success or loss, God always assures us of victory in Jesus Christ. Jesus assures his disciples that he has all power over evil, including the power of Satan and the evil spirits or fallen angels who conspire against us. In fact, that is why Jesus came into the world to overthrow the evil one (John 12:31). We, too, as disciples of Jesus have been given spiritual authority and power for overcoming the works of darkness and evil (1 John 2:13-14).

Jesus thanks the Father in heaven for revealing to his disciples the wisdom and knowledge of God. What does Jesus' prayer tell us about God and about ourselves? First, it tells us that God is both Father and Lord of earth as well as heaven. He is both Creator and Author of all that he has made, the first origin of everything and transcendent authority, and at the same time, goodness and loving care for all his children. All fatherhood and motherhood is derived from him (Ephesians 3:14-15). Jesus' prayer also contains a warning that pride can keep us from the love and knowledge of God. What makes us ignorant and blind to the things of God? Sinful pride springs from exaggerated self-centeredness. It closes the mind to God's truth and wisdom for our lives. The angels fell into pride and were cast out of heaven. The virtue of humility, the only true remedy against false pride, and which is very different from the feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem, leads us to a true recognition of who we are in God and of our dependence on God.

Jesus contrasts intellectual pride with child-like simplicity and humility. The simple of heart are like "babes" in the sense that they see purely without pretense and acknowledge their dependence and trust in one who is greater, wiser, and more trustworthy. They seek one thing – the "summum bonum" or "greatest good" who is God himself. Simplicity of heart is wedded with humility, the queen of virtues, because humility inclines the heart towards grace and truth. Just as pride is the root or every sin and evil, so humility is the only soil in which the grace of God can take root. It alone takes the right attitude before God and allows him as God to do all. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). The grace of Christ-like humility inclines us to God and disposes us to receive God's wisdom. Nothing can give us greater joy than the knowledge that we are God's beloved and that our names are written in heaven. Do you seek to be like Jesus Christ in humility and simplicity of heart?

Jesus makes a claim which no one would have dared to make: He is the perfect revelation of God. 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 knowledge of God as our Father. Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. Saint Augustine of Hippo wrote: "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us to love."

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 completely, unconditionally and perfectly. Jesus also 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." Do you pray to your Father in heaven with joy and confidence in his love and care for you?

"Ang nagasikway sa akon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:13-16)

Biyernes (Oktubre 4)

“Kailo ka man, Corazin! Kailo ka man, Betsaida! Kay kon ang mga milagro nga ginhimo sa inyo ginhimo sa Tiro kag Sidon, dugay na kuntani ang mga tawo didto nagpungko, nagbayu sing sako kag nagbutang sing abo sa ila ulo sa pagpakita nga nagbiya sila sa ila mga sala.

Sa Adlaw sang Paghukom sobra pa nga silot ang inyo pagabatunon sang sa Tiro kag sa Sidon.

Kag ikaw, Capernaum, luyag ka bala magbayaw sang imo kaugalingon sa langit? Ihaboy ka sa impiyerno!” 

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya mga gintuton-an, “Ang nagapamati sa inyo, nagapamati sa akon. Ang nagasikway sa inyo, nagasikway sa akon. Kag ang nagasikway sa akon, nagasikway man sa iya nga nagpadala sa akon.” 

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

If Jesus were to visit your community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida? And how would you respond? Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God had for them. Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the visitation of God. They heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus upset with these communities? The word woe is also translated as alas. It is as much as an expression of sorrowful pity as it is of anger. Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference. Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change – a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction – the destruction of soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God and receiving his blessing. In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and mercy, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with faith and submission or with doubt and indifference?

"Ang Ginharian sang Dios malapit na sa inyo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:1-12)

Huwebes (Oktubre 3)

Sa tapos sini ang Ginoo nagpili sing 72 ka mga tawo kag iya sila ginpadala sing tag-duhadoha sa pag-una sa iya sa tagsa ka mga banwa kag duog nga iya pagakadtuan.

Nagsiling sia sa ila, “Malapad ang alanyon, pero diutay lang ang mga mangangani. Gani magpangamuyo kamo sa tag-iya sang alanyon nga magpadala sia sing dugang pa nga mga mangangani sa iya alanyon.

Lakat kamo! Ginapadala ko kamo subong mga karnero sa tunga sang mga lobo.

Indi kamo magdala sing kahita, ukon puyo, ukon sandalyas. Indi kamo magdulog sa pagpanamyaw bisan kay sin-o sa dalan.

Kon magsulod kamo sa isa ka balay, magsiling kamo anay, ‘Paghidait sa sini nga balay.’

Kon ang nagapuyo dira tawo nga mahidaiton, ibilin sa iya ang inyo panamyaw sang paghidait. Kon indi sia mahidaiton, bawia ninyo ang inyo panamyaw sang paghidait.

Magdayon kamo sa sina nga balay, magkaon kag mag-inom sang ginaamuma nila sa inyo, kay ang manugpangabudlay dapat hatagan sang iya suhol. Indi kamo magsagad saylusaylo sing dalayunan.

Kon magkadto kamo sa isa ka banwa kag ginaabiabi kamo, kauna ninyo ang ginaamuma sa inyo, ayuha ninyo ang mga nagamasakit sa sina nga banwa, kag magsiling kamo sa mga tawo didto, ‘Ang Ginharian sang Dios malapit na sa inyo.’

Pero kon magsulod kamo sa isa ka banwa kag wala kamo ginaabiabi didto, kadto kamo sa mga dalan kag magsiling, ‘Bisan ang yab-ok sang inyo banwa nga nagatapik sa amon mga tiil amon nga taktakon batok sa inyo. Pero dumdoma ninyo ini, ang Ginharian sang Dios malapit na kuntani sa inyo.’

Nagasiling ako sa inyo nga sa Adlaw sang Paghukom sobra pa ang silot nga pagabatunon sadto nga banwa sang Sodoma.”

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:

What kind of harvest does the Lord want us to reap today? When Jesus commissioned seventy of his disciples to go on mission, he gave them a vision of a great harvest for the kingdom of God. Jesus frequently used the image of a harvest to convey the coming of God’s reign on earth. The harvest is the fruition of labor and growth – beginning with the sowing of seeds, then growth, and finally fruit for the harvest. In like manner, the word of God is sown in the hearts of receptive men and women who hear his word and who accept it with trust and obedience. The harvest Jesus had in mind was not only the people of Israel, but all the peoples (or nations) of the world. John the Evangelist tells us that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

What does Jesus mean when he says his disciples must be "lambs 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 who would oppose the gospel. Jesus came as our sacrificial lamb to atone for the sin of the world. We, in turn, must be willing to sacrifice our lives in humble service of our Lord and Master.

What is the significance of Jesus appointing seventy disciples to the ministry of the word? Seventy was a significant number in biblical times. Moses chose seventy elders to help him in the task of leading the people through the wilderness. The Jewish Sanhedrin, the governing council for the nation of Israel, was composed of seventy members. In Jesus’ times seventy was held to be the number of nations throughout the world. Jesus commissioned the seventy to a two-fold task: to speak in his name and to act with his power. Jesus gave them instructions for how they were to carry out their ministry. They must go and serve as people 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 reward or payment. “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.

Jesus ends his instructions with a warning: If people reject God’s invitation and refuse his word, then they bring 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 abundant life in him. He wills to work through and in 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?

"Ang ila mga anghel yara sa atubangan sang akon Amay nga langitnon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 18:1-5, 10)

Miyerkules (Oktubre 2)

Sa sadto nga tion nagpalapit ang mga gintuton-an kay Jesus kag nagpamangkot, “Sin-o bala ang labing daku sa Ginharian sang langit?”

Gintawag ni Jesus ang isa ka diutay nga bata kag ginpatindog sia sa ila atubangan, kag nagsiling, “Dumdoma ninyo ini! Kon indi kamo magbaylo kag manginkaangay sa magamay nga mga kabataan, indi gid kamo makasulod sa Ginharian sang langit.

Gani ang nagapaubos sang iya kaugalingon kag manginkaangay sining diutay nga bata, amo ang labing daku sa Ginharian sang langit.

Kag ang nagabaton sang kasubong sining diutay nga bata sa akon ngalan nagabaton sa akon.”

“Mag-andam kamo nga indi ninyo matamay ang isa sining magamay nga mga kabataan. Nagasiling ako sa inyo nga ang ila mga anghel sa langit yara pirme sa atubangan sang akon Amay nga langitnon.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, you are our refuge and strength. May I always know your guiding hand and the help of your angels in protecting me from all that is evil. Give me strength of will and courage to refuse what is evil and to choose what is good."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Why does Jesus warn his disciples to "not despise the little ones?" God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion. His angels watch over them as guardians. "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). God has not left us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose good" (Isaiah 7:15). The angels are his "ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). Scripture is full of examples of how the angels serve as messengers and protectors. When Peter was chained in prison and kept under guard, an angel woke him in middle of the night, released his chains, and brought him safely out of prison, past several guards and through locked gates. When Peter realized he wasn't dreaming, he exclaimed: "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me" (Acts 12:11). When Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions, an angel protected him from harm (Daniel 6:22).

John Chrysostom (347-407 AD), an early church father and renowned preacher, compared the guardian angels to the troops garrisoned in cities on the frontiers of the empire to defend it from the enemy. Basil the Great (329-379 AD) said, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness and during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). The angels will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment (Matthew 25:31). The angels show us that this universe which God created is not just materialistic. The fallen angels (Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; Revelations 12:9), described in Scripture as evil spirits or devils (Mark 5:13; Matthew 25:41), seek our destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8). If they cannot persuade us to disown our faith and loyalty to Christ, they will attempt to divert us from doing the will of God by distracting us with good things that weigh us down or make us indifferent towards the things of God. God gives us the help of his angelic hosts and he gives us spiritual weapons, the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness (see Ephesians 6:1-11), to resist the devil and his lies. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we, too, join with the angelic choirs of heaven in singing the praises of God. Do you thank the Lord for his guidance and protection?

"Ang tuyo ni Jesus amo ang pagkadto sa Jerusalem"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 49:51-56)

Martes (Oktubre 1)

Sang malapit na lang ang mga inadlaw nga si Jesus pagadalhon sa langit, nagpamat-od sia sa pagkadto sa Jerusalem.

May mga ginsugo sia sa pagkadto sing una sa isa ka baryo sang Samaria sa pag-aman sang tanan para sa iya.

Pero ang mga tawo didto indi magbaton sa iya tungod kay nasat-uman gid nila nga ang iya tuyo amo ang pagkadto sa Jerusalem.

Sang pagkahibalo sini sang mga gintuton-an nga si Santiago kag si Juan, nagsiling sila kay Jesus, “Ginoo, luyag mo bala nga magpangayo kami sang kalayo gikan sa langit kag sunogon sila?”

Si Jesus nagbalikid kag nagsaway sa ila, kag nagpadayon sila sa isa na man ka baryo.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, you are gracious, merciful, and kind. Set me free from my prejudice and intolerance towards those I find disagreeable, and widen my heart to love and to do good even to those who wish me harm or evil."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Are you surprised to see two of Jesus' disciples praying for the destruction of a Samaritan village? The Jews and Samaritans had been divided for centuries. Jewish pilgrims who passed through Samaritan territory were often assaulted. Jesus did the unthinkable for a Jew. He not only decided to travel through Samaritan territory at personal risk, but he also asked for hospitality in one of their villages! Jesus' offer of friendship was rebuffed. Is there any wonder that the disciples were indignant and felt justified in wanting to see retribution done to this village? Wouldn't you respond the same way? Jesus, however, rebukes his disciples for their lack of toleration. Jesus had "set his face toward Jerusalem" to die on a cross that Jew, Samaritan and Gentile might be reconciled with God and be united as one people in Christ.

Tolerance is a much needed virtue today. But aren't we often tolerant for the wrong thing or for the wrong motive? Christian love seeks the highest good of both one's neighbor and one's enemy. When Abraham Lincoln was criticized for his courtesy and tolerance towards his enemies during the American Civil War, he responded: "Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" How do you treat those who cross you and cause you trouble? Do you seek their good rather than their harm?