"Ano Bala Ang Ginatugot Sang Aton Kasuguan Sa Adlaw Nga Inugpahuway Ang Paghimo Sang Maayo Ukon Ang Paghimo Sang Malain, Ang Pagluwas Sang Ila Kabuhi Ukon Ang Pagpatay?"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 6:6-11)

Sang isa naman ka adlaw nga Inugpahuway, nagsulod si Jesus sa simbahan sang mga Judio sa pagpanudlo. May tawo didto nga naitos ang tuo niya nga kamot.

Tungod nga ang mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag ang mga Pariseo nagatinguha gid sa pag-akusar kay Jesus, ginabantayan nila kon bala ayuhon niya ang ato nga tawo sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway.

Pero nahibaluan ni Jesus kon ano ang yara sa ila hunahuna. Gani nagsiling siya sa tawo nga naitos ang kamot, "Tindog ka kag magpalapit diri sa atubangan." Kag nagtindog siya kag nagkadto kay Jesus.

Dayon siling ni Jesus sa mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag sa mga Pariseo, "Ano bala ang ginatugot sang aton Kasuguan sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway: ang paghimo sang maayo sa mga tawo, ukon ang paghimo sang malain? Ang pagluwas sang ila kabuhi, ukon ang pagpatay?"

Nagtulok si Jesus sa ila tanan pero wala gid sing may nagsabat. Dayon naghambal siya sa tawo nga naitos ang kamot, "Untaya ang imo kamot." Gin-untay niya, kag nag-ayo ini.

Pero naakig gid ang mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan kag ang mga Pariseo, gani nagsugilanon sila kon ano ang himuon nila kay Jesus.

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Meditation: 

What is God's intention for the commandment, keep holy the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)? The scribes and Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus in the act of breaking the Sabbath ritual so they might accuse him of breaking God's law. In a few penetrating words Luke records that Jesus knew their thoughts. They were filled with fury and contempt for Jesus because they put their own thoughts of right and wrong above God. They were ensnared in their own legalism because they did not understand or see the purpose of God. Jesus shows their fallacy by pointing to God's intention for the Sabbath: to do good and to save life rather than to do evil or to destroy life.

What is the significance of Jesus' healing the man with the withered hand? Ambrose, the 4th century bishop of Milan who was instrumental in bringing Augustine of Hippo to the Christian faith, comments on this miracle: "Then you heard the words of the Lord, saying, “Stretch forth your hand.” That is the common and universal remedy. You who think that you have a healthy hand beware lest it is withered by greed or by sacrilege. Hold it out often. Hold it out to the poor person who begs you. Hold it out to help your neighbor, to give protection to a widow, to snatch from harm one whom you see subjected to unjust insult. Hold it out to God for your sins. The hand is stretched forth; then it is healed. Jeroboam’s hand withered when he sacrificed to idols; then it stretched out when he entreated God."

Why do Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day? Most importantly, we celebrate it to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17). God's action is a model for us. If God "rested and was refreshed" on the seventh day, we, too, ought to "rest" and let others, especially the poor, "be refreshed" (see Exodus 31:17; 23:12). Taking "our sabbath rest" is a way of expressing honor to God for all that he has done for us. Such "rest" however does not exempt us from our love for our neighbor. If we truly love the Lord above all else, then the love of God will overflow to love of neighbor as well. Saint Augustine of Hippo said: "The charity of truth seeks holy leisure; the necessity of charity accepts just work." How can we make Sunday a day holy to the Lord? First, by refraining from unnecessary work and from activities that hinder the worship we owe to God. We can also perform works of mercy, such as humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. And we ought to seek appropriate relaxation of mind and body as well. The joy of the Lord's Day is a great gift to refresh and strengthen us in our love of God and of neighbor (Nehemiah 8:10). Do you know the joy of the Lord and do you find rest and refreshment in celebrating the Lord's Day?

"Lord Jesus, in your victory over sin and death on the cross and in your resurrection you give us the assurance of sharing in the eternal rest of heaven. Transform my heart with your love that I may freely serve my neighbor for his good and find joy and refreshment in the celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day."