"Ihatag sa mga imol ang yara sa sulod"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:37-41)

Martes (Oktubre 15)

Sa tapos makahambal si Jesus, may isa ka Fariseo nga nag-agda sa iya sa pagkaon upod sa iya. Gani nag-upod sia kag nagkaon.

Ang Fariseo natingala sang matalupangdan niya nga si Jesus wala magpanghinaw sa wala pa sia magkaon.

Gani ang Ginoo nagsiling sa iya, “Kamo nga mga Fariseo nagahugas sang sa gwa lang sang tasa kag pinggan, pero sa sulod ninyo puno kamo sang panglugos kag kalautan.

Mga buangboang! Indi bala nga ang Dios nga naghimo sang sa gwa naghimo man sang sa sulod?

Pero ihatag sa mga imol ang yara sa sulod sang inyo mga tasa kag pinggan, kag ang tanan manginmatinlo para sa inyo.

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your love and increase my thirst for holiness. Cleanse my heart of every evil thought and desire and help me to act kindly and justly and to speak charitably with my neighbor."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Is the Lord welcomed at your table and are you ready to feast at his table? A Pharisee, after hearing Jesus preach, invited him to dinner, no doubt, because he wanted to hear more from this extraordinary man who spoke the word of God as no one else had done before. It was not unusual for a rabbi to give a teaching over dinner. Jesus, however, did something which offended his host. He did not perform the ceremonial washing of hands before beginning the meal. Did Jesus forget or was he deliberately performing a sign to reveal something to his host? Jesus turned the table on his host by chiding him for uncleanness of heart. Which is more important to God – clean hands or a clean mind and heart? Jesus chided the Pharisees for harboring evil thoughts that make us unclean spiritually – such as greed, pride, bitterness, envy, arrogance, and the like. Why does he urge them, and us, to give alms? When we give freely and generously to those in need we express love, compassion, kindness, and mercy. And if the heart is full of love and compassion, then there is no room for envy, greed, bitterness, and the like. Do you allow God's love to transform your heart, mind, and actions toward your neighbor?

"Daw ano kalaut sang mga tawo karon nga panahon; nagapangayo sila sing isa ka milagro"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:29-32)

Lunes (Oktubre 14)

Sang nagatilipon ang mga tawo sa palibot ni Jesus, nagsiling sia, “Daw ano kalaut sang mga tawo karon nga panahon! Nagapangayo sila sing isa ka milagro, pero wala sing may ipakita sa ila, kundi ang milagro nga natabo kay Jonas.

Subong nga si Jonas nangintanda para sa mga tawo sa Ninive, amo man ang Anak sang Tawo mangintanda para sa mga tawo sa sining panahon.

Sa Adlaw sang Paghukom ang Rayna sang Bagatnan magatindog kag magasumbong sang mga tawo sining panahon, kay nagkari sia gikan sa malayo nga duog sa pagpamati sang kaalam ni Salomon, kag karon nagasiling ako sa inyo, may yari diri nga daku pa kay Salomon.

Sa Adlaw sang Paghukom ang mga tawo sang Ninive magatindog kag magasumbong sa inyo, kay nagbiya sila sa ila mga sala sang pagkabati nila kay Jonas nga nagwali. Karon nagasiling ako sa inyo, may yari diri nga daku pa kay Jonas.”

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, give me a heart that loves what is good and in accord with your will and fill me with your wisdom that I my understand your ways. Give me the grace and the courage to reject whatever is evil and contrary to your will."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you pay attention to warning signs? Many fatalities could be avoided if people took the warning signs seriously. When the religious leaders demanded a sign from Jesus, he gave them a warning to avert spiritual disaster. It was characteristic of the Jews that they demanded "signs" from God's messengers to authenticate their claims. When the religious leaders pressed Jesus to give proof for his claims he says in so many words that he is God's sign and that they need no further evidence from heaven than his own person. The Ninevites recognized God's warning when Jonah spoke to them, and they repented. And the Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon. Jonah was God's sign and his message was the message of God for the people of Nineveh. Unfortunately the religious leaders were not content to accept the signs right before their eyes. They had rejected the message of John the Baptist and now they reject Jesus as God's Anointed One (Messiah) and they fail to heed his message. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke 2:34- 35). Jesus confirmed his message with many miracles in preparation for the greatest sign of all – his resurrection on the third day.

The Lord Jesus came to set us free from slavery to sin and hurtful desires. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit he pours his love into our hearts that we may understand his will for our lives and walk in his way of holiness. God searches our hearts, not to condemn us, but to show us where we need his saving grace and help. He calls us to seek him with true repentance, humility, and the honesty to see our sins for what they really are – a rejection of his love and will for our lives. God will transform us if we listen to his word and allow his Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Ask the Lord to renew your mind and to increase your thirst for his wisdom. James says that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity (James 3:17). A double-minded person cannot receive this kind of wisdom. The single of heart desire one thing alone – God's pleasure. God wants us to delight in him and to know the freedom of his truth and love. Do you thirst for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)?

"Jesus, nga manunodlo, kaluoyi kami"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:11-19)

Domingo (Oktubre 13)

Sang nagapakadto si Jesus sa Jerusalem nag-agi sia sa dulonan sang Samaria kag Galilea.

Sang nagapasulod sia sa isa ka baryo ginsugata sia sang napulo ka mga aruon. Ang mga aruon nagtindog sa unhan kag nagsinggit, "Jesus nga manunodlo, kaluoyi kami!"

Nakita sila ni Jesus kag nagsiling sia sa ila, "Lakat kamo kag ipatan-aw ang inyo kaugalingon sa mga pari." Sang nagalakat sila nag-ayo sila.

Ang isa sa ila, sang matalupangdan niya nga nag-ayo na sia, nagbalik nga nagadayaw sa Dios sa mabaskog nga tingog.

Nagluhod sia sa tiilan ni Jesus kag nagpasalamat sa iya. Yadto nga tawo taga-Samaria.

Si Jesus nagsiling, "Indi bala napulo ka tawo ang gintinluan? Karon diin na ang siyam?

Ngaa ining dumoluong lang ang nagbalik sa pagpasalamat sa Dios?"

Si Jesus nagsiling sa tawo, "Tindog ka kag maglakat. Ang imo pagtuo nag-ayo sa imo."

Prayers:

"Lord, may I never fail to recognize your love and mercy. Fill my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving and free me from pride, discontentment, and ingratitude. Help me to count my blessings with gratefulness and to give thanks in all circumstances."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What can adversity teach us about the healing power of love and mercy? Proverbs gives us a hint: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17). When adversity strikes you find out who truly is your brother, sister, and friend. The gospel records an unusual encounter between individuals who belonged to groups which had been divided and hostile towards one another for centuries. The Jews regarded the Samaritans as heretics worse than pagans. And as a result they had no dealings with each another. They were openly hostile whenever their paths crossed. In this gospel narrative we see one rare exception -- a Samaritan leper in company with nine Jewish lepers. Sometimes adversity forces us to drop our barriers or to forget our prejudices. When this band of lepers saw Jesus they made a bold request. They didn't ask for healing, but instead asked for mercy. 

The word mercy literally means "sorrowful at heart". But mercy is more than just compassion, or heartfelt sorrow at another's misfortune. While compassion empathizes with the sufferer, mercy goes further. It removes suffering. A merciful person shares in another's misfortune and suffering as if it were his own. And he will do everything in his power to dispel that misery. Mercy is also connected with justice. Thomas Aquinas said that mercy "does not destroy justice, but is a certain kind of fulfillment of justice. ..Mercy without justice is the mother of dissolution; (and) justice without mercy is cruelty." Pardon without repentance negates justice. So what is the significance of these ten lepers asking for mercy? They know they are in need of healing, not just physical, but spiritual healing as well. They approach Jesus with contrition and faith because they believe that he can release the burden of guilt and suffering and make restoration of body and soul possible. Their request for mercy is both a plea for pardon and release from suffering. Jesus gives mercy to all who ask with faith and contrition. 

Why did only one leper out of ten — a Samaritan whom the Jews despised as a people worse than pagans — return to show gratitude? Gratefulness is related to grace — a word which means the release of loveliness. Gratitude is the homage of the heart which responds with graciousness in expressing an act of thanksgiving. The Samaritan approached Jesus reverently and gave praise to God. If we do not recognize and appreciate the mercy shown us we will be ungrateful. Ingratitude is forgetfulness or a poor return for kindness received. Ingratitude easily leads to lack of charity and intolerance towards others as well as to other sins, such as discontent, dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling, pride and presumption. How often have we been ungrateful to our parents, pastors, teachers, and neighbors? Do you express gratitude to God for his mercy and do you show mercy to your neighbor?

"Nagapamati sang pulong sang Dios kag nagatuman sini"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:27-28)

Sabado (Oktubre 12)

Sang makahambal si Jesus sini, may isa ka babayi sa tunga sang mga tawo didto nga nagsinggit, “Bulahan ang babayi nga nagbusong kag nagbatiti sa imo.”

Pero si Jesus nagsabat, “Bulahan pa gid ang mga nagapamati sang pulong sang Dios kag nagatuman sini!”

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, my heart is restless until it rests in you. Help me to live in your presence and in the knowledge of your great love for me. May I seek to please you in all that I do, say, and think."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Who do you seek to favor and bless? When an admirer wished to compliment Jesus by praising his mother, Jesus did not deny the truth of the blessing she pronounced. Her beatitude (which means "blessedness" or "happiness") recalls Mary's canticle: All generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48). Jesus adds to her words by pointing to the source of all true blessedness or happiness – union with God in heart, mind, and will. Mary humbly submitted herself to the miraculous plan of God for the incarnation of his only begotten Son – the Word of God made flesh in her womb, by declaring: I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38). Mary heard the word spoken to her by the angel and she believed it.

On another occasion Jesus remarked that whoever does the will of God is a friend of God and a member of his family – his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ. (Luke 8:21). They are truly blessed because they know their God personally and they find joy in hearing and obeying his word.

Our goal in life, the very reason we were created in the first place, is for union with God. We were made for God and our hearts are restless until they rest in him. Lucian of Antioch (240-312), an early Christian theologian and martyr, once said that "a Christian's only relatives are the saints." Those who follow Jesus Christ and who seek the will of God enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all our relationships and requires a new order of loyalty to God and his kingdom. Do you hunger for God and for his word?

"Sa gahom sang Dios"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:15-26)

Biyernes (Oktubre 11)

Ugaling ang iban sa ila nagsiling, "Si Beelzebul nga hari sang mga yawa ang naghatag sa iya sing gahom sa pagtabog sa ila."

Ang iban luyag magdakupdakop sa iya, gani nagpangayo sila nga maghimo sia sing milagro sa pagpamatuod nga ang Dios nahamuot sa iya.

Pero si Jesus nga nakahibalo sang ila mga panghunahona nagsiling sa ila, "Kon ang mga pumoluyo sang isa ka pungsod nagabinahinbahinay kag nagailinaway, ina nga pungsod malaglag. Ang panimalay nga nagabinahinbahinay magabuloblag.

Gani, kon ang ginharian ni Satanas magbinahinbahinay, paano bala ini makapadayon? Suno sa inyo nagatabog ako sang mga yawa tungod sang gahom nga ginhatag sa akon ni Beelzebul.

Kon nagatabog ako sang yawa paagi kay Beelzebul, sa ano bala nga paagi ang inyo mga sumolunod nagatabog sang yawa? Gani, ang inyo mga sumolunod nagapamatuod nga sayop gid kamo!

Sa gahom sang Dios nagatabog ako sang mga yawa, kag ini nagapamatuod nga ang Ginharian sang Dios nakaabot na sa inyo.

"Kon ang isa ka makusog nga tawo nga lupit sa hinganiban nagabantay sang iya kaugalingon nga balay, indi maano ang tanan niya nga pagkabutang.

Pero kon gubaton sia sang mas makusog pa nga tawo kag madaog sia, maagaw sang makusog nga tawo ang tanan niya nga mga hinganiban nga ginasaligan, kag pamartidahon niya ang iya mga inagaw. 

"Ang wala nagadampig sa akon batok sa akon, kag ang wala nagabulig sa akon sa pagpanipon nagapaalaplaag."

“Kon ang malaut nga espiritu maggwa sa isa ka tawo, nagapanglugayawan sia sa mamala nga mga duog nga wala sing tubig sa pagpangita sing palahuwayan. Kon wala sia sing may makita, nagasiling sia sa iya kaugalingon, ‘Mabalik ako sa akon ginhalinan.’

Sa pagbalik niya, iya nakita nga ang iya ginhalinan matinlo kag nahimos na.

Dayon magalakat sia kag manghagad sang pito ka espiritu nga mas malaut pa sa iya. Magasulod sila kag magaestar sa sadto nga tawo. Gani, ini nga tawo magamalaut pa gid sang sa una niya nga kahimtangan.”

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, be the ruler of my heart and the master of my home. May there be nothing in my life that is not under your lordship."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

When danger lurks, what kind of protection do you seek? Jesus came to free us from the greatest danger of all – the corrupting force of evil which destroys us from within and makes us slaves to sin and Satan (John 8:34). Evil is not an impersonal force that just happens. It has a name and a face and it seeks to master every heart and soul on the face of the earth (1 Peter 5:8-9). Scripture identifies the Evil One by many names, 'Satan', 'Be-el'zebul – the prince of demons', the 'Devil', the 'Deceiver', the 'Father of Lies', and 'Lucifier', the fallen angel who broke rank with God and established his own army and kingdom in opposition to God. Jesus declared that he came to overthrow the power of Satan and his kingdom (John 12:31). Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battle with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). He overcame the Evil One through his obedience to the will of his Father.

Some of the Jewish leaders reacted vehemently to Jesus' healings and exorcisms and they opposed him with malicious slander. How could Jesus get the power and authority to release individuals from Satan's influence and control? They assumed that he had to be in league with Satan. They attributed his power to Satan rather than to God. Jesus answers their charge with two arguments. There were many exorcists in Palestine in Jesus' time. So Jesus retorted by saying that they also incriminate their own kin who cast out demons. If they condemn Jesus they also condemn themselves.

In his second argument Jesus asserts that no kingdom divided against itself can survive for long. We have witnessed enough civil wars in our own time to prove the destructive force at work here for the annihilation of whole peoples and their land. If Satan lends his power against his own forces then he is finished. Cyril of Alexandria, a 5th century church father explains the force of Jesus' argument: 

Kingdoms are established by the fidelity of subjects and the obedience of those under the royal scepter. Houses are established when those who belong to them in no way whatsoever thwart one another but, on the contrary, agree in will and deed. I suppose it would establish the kingdom too of Beelzebub, had he determined to abstain from everything contrary to himself. How then does Satan cast out Satan? It follows then that devils do not depart from people on their own accord but retire unwillingly. “Satan,” he says, “does not fight with himself.” He does not rebuke his own servants. He does not permit himself to injure his own armorbearers. On the contrary, he helps his kingdom. “It remains for you to understand that I crush Satan by divine power.” [Commentary on Luke, Homily 80]

How can a strong person be defeated except by someone who is stronger? Jesus asserted his power and authority to cast out demons as a clear demonstration of the reign of God. Jesus' reference to the 'finger of God' points back to Moses' confrontation with Pharoah and his magicians who represented Satan and the kingdom of darkness (see Exodus 8:19). Jesus claims to be carrying on the tradition of Moses whose miracles freed the Israelites from bondage by the finger of God. God's power is clearly at work in the exorcisms which Jesus performed and they give evidence that God's kingdom has come.

What is the point of Jesus' grim story about a vacant house being occupied by an evil force? It is not enough to banish evil thoughts and habits from our lives. We must also fill the void with God who is the source of all that is good, wholesome, true, and life-giving for us. Augustine of Hippo said that our lives have a God-shaped void which only God can fill satisfactorily. If we attempt to leave it vacant or to fill it with something else, we will end up being in a worse state in the end. What do you fill the void in your life with? The Lord Jesus wants to fill our hearts and minds with the power of his life-giving word and healing love. Jesus makes it very clear that there are no neutral parties in this world. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are ultimately only two kingdoms which stand in opposition to one another – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness which is under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God's word, we open to door to the power of sin and Satan. If we want to live in true freedom, then our "house" (the inner core of our true being) must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. The Lord assures us of his protection from spiritual harm and he gives us the help and strength we need to resist the devil and his lies (James 4:7). "Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways"(Psalm 91:9-11). Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and his word?

"Daw ano pa gid ang inyo Amay nga langitnon maghatag"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:5-13)

Huwebes (Oktubre 10)

Kag si Jesus nagsiling sa iya mga gintuton-an, “Abi may isa sa inyo nga magkadto sa balay sang iya amigo sa tungang gab-i kag magsiling sa iya, ‘Abyan, pahulama ako sing tatlo ka bilog nga tinapay, kay may amigo ako nga nagapanglakaton nga nag-abot sa balay kag wala gid ako sing ipakaon sa iya.’

Kag abi, ang imo amigo magsabat didto sa sulod sang iya balay, ‘Indi ako pagtublaga! Nakapanirado na kami, nagahigda na ako kag ang akon kabataan, mabudlay na ang magbangon sa paghatag sa imo sing bisan ano.’

Ti, ano karon? Nagasiling ako sa inyo, bisan nga indi sia magbangon sa paghatag sa imo sing tinapay tungod sang inyo pag-abyanay, pero tungod sang imo pagpamilit nga wala gid huyahoya magabangon sia kag magahatag sa imo sang imo kinahanglanon.

Gani nagasiling ako sa inyo: Pangayo kamo, kag kamo magabaton, pangita kamo kag kamo makakita, panuktok kamo kag ang puwertahan pagabuksan sa inyo.

Kay ang tagsatagsa nga nagapangayo magabaton, kag ang nagapangita makakita, kag ang puwertahan pagabuksan sa iya nga nagapanuktok.

Kamo nga mga amay, may isa bala sa inyo nga magahatag sa iya bata sing man-og kon ang iya ginapangayo isda?

Hatagan mo bala sia sing iwiiwi kon ang iya ginapangayo itlog?

Kon kamo nga mga malaut makahibalo maghatag sing maayo nga butang sa inyo mga kabataan, daw ano pa gid ang inyo Amay nga langitnon. Magahatag sia sang Espiritu Santo sa mga nagapangayo sa iya.”

Prayers:

"Heavenly Father, you are merciful, gracious and kind. May I never doubt your love nor hesitate to seek you with confidence in order to obtain the gifts, graces, and daily provision I need to live as your disciple and child."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

What can we expect from God, especially when we recognize that he doesn't owe us anything and that we don't deserve his grace and favor? Jesus used the illustration of a late-night traveller to teach his listeners an important lesson about how God treats us in contrast to the kind of treatment we might expect from good neighbors. The rule of hospitality in biblical times required the cooperation of the entire community in entertaining an unexpected or late-night guest. Whether the guest was hungry or not, a meal would be served. In a small village it would be easy to know who had baked bread that day. Bread was essential for a meal because it served as a utensil for dipping and eating from the common dishes. Asking for bread from one's neighbor was both a common occurrence and an expected favor. To refuse to give bread would bring shame because it was a sign of inhospitality.

If a neighbor can be imposed upon and coerced into giving bread in the middle of the night, how much more hospitable is God, who, no matter what the circumstances, is generous and ready to give us what we need. Augustine of Hippo reminds us that "God, who does not sleep and who awakens us from sleep that we may ask, gives much more graciously." In conclusion Jesus makes a startling claim: How much more will the heavenly Father give! The Lord is ever ready to give us not only what we need, but more than we can expect. He gives freely of his Holy Spirit that we may share in his life and joy. Do you approach your heavenly Father with confidence in his mercy and kindness?

"Ginoo tudloi kami sa pagpangamuyo"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:1-4)

Miyerkules (Oktubre 9)

Isa sadto ka tion si Jesus nagapangamuyo sa isa ka duog. Sang pagkatapos niya, ang isa sang iya mga gintuton-an nagsiling sa iya, “Ginoo, tudloi kami sa pagpangamuyo, subong nga si Juan nagtudlo man sang iya mga gintuton-an.”

Si Jesus nagsiling sa ila, “Magpangamuyo kamo sing subong sini: ‘Amay, Kabay nga magkari ang imo Ginharian.

Hatagi kami adlaw-adlaw sang kalan-on Nga amon kinahanglanon.

Patawara kami sang amon mga sala, Kay ginapatawad man namon Ang tanan nga nakasala sa amon. Indi kami pag-ipadaog sa mga pagsulay.’ ”

Prayers:

"Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace your holy will and fill my heart with your love that all my intentions and actions may be pleasing to you. Help me to be kind and forgiving towards my neighbor as you have been towards me".

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Do you pray with joy and confidence? The Jews were noted for their devotion to prayer. Formal prayer was prescribed for three set times a day. And the rabbis had a prayer for every occasion. It was also a custom for rabbis to teach their disciples a simple prayer they might use on a regular basis. Jesus' disciples ask him for such a prayer. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he gave them the disciple's prayer, what we call the Our Father or Lord's Prayer. What does Jesus' prayer tell us about God and about ourselves? First, it tells us that God is both Father in being the Creator and Author of all that he has made, the first origin of everything and transcendent authority, and he is eternally Father by his relationship to his only Son who, reciprocally is Son only in relation to his Father (Matthew 11:27). All fatherhood and motherhood is derived from him (Ephesians 3:14-15). In Jesus Christ we are reborn and become the adopted children of God (John 1:12-13; 3:3).

Jesus teaches us to address God as "our Father" and to confidently ask him for the things we need to live as his sons and daughters. We can approach God our Father with confidence and boldness because Jesus Christ has opened the way to heaven for us through his death and resurrection. When we ask God for help, he fortunately does not give us what we deserve. Instead, he responds with grace and mercy. He is kind and forgiving towards us and he expects us to treat our neighbor the same. We can pray with expectant faith because our heavenly Father truly loves each one of us and and he treats us as his beloved children. He delights to give us what is good. His love and grace transforms us and makes us like himself. Through his grace and power we can love and serve one another as Jesus taught – with grace, mercy, and loving-kindness. Do you treat others as they deserve, or do you treat them as the Lord Jesus would with grace and mercy? Jesus' prayer includes an injunction that we must ask God to forgive us in proportion as we forgive those who have wronged us. God's grace frees us from every form of anger, spite, resentment, envy, and hatred. Are you ready to forgive others as Jesus forgives you?

"Nagapalibog ka - pero isa gid lang ang kinahanglan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:38-42)

Martes (Oktubre 8)

Sang nagpadayon si Jesus kag ang iya mga gintuton-an sang ila pagpanglakaton, nakaabot sia sa isa ka baryo. Didto ginbaton sia sang isa ka babayi nga ginahingalanan kay Marta sa iya balay.

Si Marta may utod nga babayi nga ginahingalanan kay Maria nga naglingkod sa tiilan sang Ginoo sa pagpamati sang iya pagpanudlo.

Si Marta indi na makaarapal sang madamo nga mga hilikuton, gani nagpalapit sia kay Jesus kag nagsiling, “Ginoo, wala ka bala nagakabalaka nga ginapabayaan lang ako sang akon utod sa mga hilimuson? Singgana sia nga magbulig sia sa akon.”

Ang Ginoo nagsabat sa iya, “Marta, Marta, nagapalibog ka, kag indi ka mapahamtang tungod sang madamo nga mga butang, pero isa gid lang ang kinahanglan. Husto ang ginpili ni Maria, kag ina indi makuha sa iya.”

Prayers:

"Lord Jesus, to be in your presence is life and joy for me. Free me from needless concerns and preoccupations that I may give you my undivided love and attention."

***

Reflection of the Daily Gospel:

Does the peace of Christ reign in your home and in your personal life? Jesus loved to visit the home of Martha and Mary and enjoyed their gracious hospitality. In this brief encounter we see two very different temperaments in Martha and Mary. Martha loved to serve, but in her anxious manner of waiting on Jesus, she caused unrest. Mary, in her simple and trusting manner, waited on Jesus by sitting attentively at his feet. She instinctively knew that what the Lord and Teacher most wanted at that moment was her attentive presence. Anxiety and preoccupation keep us from listening and from giving the Lord our undivided attention. The Lord bids us to give him our concerns and anxieties because he is trustworthy and able to meet any need we have. His grace frees us from needless concerns and preoccupation. Do you seek the Lord attentively? And does the Lord find a welcomed and honored place in your home?

The Lord Jesus desires that we make a place for him, not only in our hearts, but in our homes and in the daily circumstances of our lives as well. We honor the Lord when we offer to him everything we have and everything we do. Afterall, everything we have is an outright gift from God (1 Chronicles 29:14). Paul the Apostle urges us to give God glory in everything: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). When you sit, eat, sleep and when you entertain your friends and guests, remember that the Lord Jesus is also the guest of your home. Scripture tells us that when Abraham opened his home and welcomed three unknown travelers, he welcomed the Lord who blessed him favorably for his gracious hospitality (Genesis 18:1-10; Hebrews 13:2). The Lord wants us to bring him glory in the way we treat others and use the gifts he has graciously given to us. God, in turn, blesses us with his gracious presence and fills us with joy.