"Ang Tawo Nga Nagabulubalikid Indi Takos Nga Masakop Sa Paghari Sang Dios"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 9:51-62)

Sang madali na lang ang adlaw nga si Jesus dalhon pa-langit, nagdesisyon siya nga magkadto na sa Jerusalem.

Gani may ginpauna siya nga mga tawo sa isa ka baryo sa Samaria agod magpreparar sang iya dalayunan.

Pero ang mga tawo sa sadto nga baryo wala magbaton sa iya kay nahibaluan nila nga makadto siya sa Jerusalem.

Pagkahibalo sini sang iya mga sumulunod nga si Santiago kag si Juan, nagsiling sila kay Jesus, "Ginoo, luyag mo bala nga mangayo kami sang kalayo halin sa langit agod sunugon sila?"

Pero ginbalikid sila ni Jesus kag ginsaway.

Kag nagderetso na lang sila sa iban nga baryo.

Sang nagapadayon sila sa ila pagpanglakaton, may isa ka tawo nga nagsiling kay Jesus, "Maupod ako sa imo bisan diin ka makadto."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Ang mga singgalong may mga buho nga ginapaulian kag ang mga pispis may mga pugad, pero ako nga Anak sang Tawo wala sing balay nga akon gid nga sarang mapahuwayan."

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa isa, "Upod ka sa akon!" Nagsabat ang tawo, "Ginoo, mapauli anay ako sa paglubong sang akon amay."

Nagsabat si Jesus sa iya, "Pabay-i ang mga patay sa paglubong sang ila mga patay. Pero ikaw iya maglakat kag iwali ang parte sa paghari sang Dios."

May isa pa gid nga nagsiling kay Jesus, "Ginoo, maupod ako sa imo; pero tuguti ako anay nga magpauli kag maglisensya sa akon pamilya."

Nagsabat si Jesus sa iya, "Ang tawo nga nagaarado nga nagabulubalikid indi takos nga masakop sa paghari sang Dios."

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Meditation:

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?

When the Lord calls us to follow him he gives us the grace to put aside everything that might keep us from doing his will. Loyalty to Jesus requires sacrifice, letting go of my will for God's will. A would-be disciple responded by saying, I must first go and bury my father, that is, go back home and take care of him until he died. Jesus certainly did not mean that we should refuse to care for others, especially our parents in their old age. His startling statement, however, made clear that God must always be first in our lives. If we love him above all, then everything else will fall into its proper place and time.

Jesus surprised his disciples by telling that they must not look back but keep their focus on the goal set for their lives – full happiness and union with God. A plowman who looked back caused his furrow to be crooked. Likewise, if we keep looking back to what we left behind, our path in following God will likely go off course and we'll miss what God has for us. When the going is rough or the way ahead looks uncertain, we are tempted to look back to the "good old days" or to look for "greener turf". Are you resolved to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and to "stay the course" in following him to the end?

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"Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender

it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace – with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more." (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556)