"Ang Isa Kuhaon Kag Ang Isa Ibilin"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 17:26-37)

"Kon ano ang ginhimo sang mga tawo sang tiyempo ni Noe, amo man ang himuon sang mga tawo kon mag-abot na ako nga Anak sang Tawo.

Sang tiyempo ni Noe, wala na sang iban pa nga ginapinsar ang mga tawo kundi magpangalipay: sige lang kaon, inom, kag inasawahay hasta sa adlaw nga nagsulod si Noe sa arka. Dayon nag-abot ang anaw kag nalumos sila tanan.

Ang himuon sang mga tawo mangin kaangay man sang ginhimo sang mga tawo sang tiyempo ni Lot. Ang mga tawo sadto sige lang kaon, inom, pamakal, pamaligya, pananom, kag patindog sang ila mga balay.

Pero sang adlaw nga si Lot nakaguwa na sa Sodoma, nag-ulan didto sang kalayo kag asupre. Kag nagkalamatay sila tanan.

Amo man ina ang matabo kon ako nga Anak sang Tawo mag-abot na.

Sa sina nga adlaw, ang tawo nga yara sa guwa sang iya balay indi na dapat magsulod pa sa pagkuha sang iya mga pagkabutang. Kag ang didto sa talamnan indi na dapat magpauli pa sa iya balay.

Dumduma ninyo ang natabo sa asawa ni Lot.

Ang bisan sin-o nga nagatinguha nga indi madula ang iya kabuhi madula pa gani. Pero ang bisan sin-o nga nagasikway sang iya kabuhi tungod sa iya pagsunod sa akon makabaton sang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan.

Ang matuod, sa sina nga gab-i, kon may duha ka tawo nga nagahulid nga nagakatulog, ang isa kuhaon kag ang isa ibilin.

Kon may duha ka babayi nga nagagaling, ang isa kuhaon kag ang isa ibilin.

[Kag kon may duha ka tawo nga nagaobra sa ila ginaobrahan, ang isa kuhaon kag ang isa ibilin.]"

Dayon nagpamangkot ang iya mga sumulunod, "Ginoo, diin bala ini matabo?" Ginsabat niya sila sa paanggid, "Kon diin ang may patay nga lawas, didto man nagatilipon ang mga uwak."

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Meditation: 

What can nature teach us about the return of the Lord Jesus on the day of final judgment at the end of the world? Jesus quoted a familiar proverb to his audience: Where the body is, there the eagles (or vultures) will be gathered together. Eagles, like vultures, are attracted to carrion – the carcass of dying or dead animals. The Book of Job describes the eagle spying out its prey from afar (Job 39:29). What's the point of this analogy? It's  inevitable that a thing will happen when the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The return of the Lord is certain, but the time is unknown. The Lord's judgment comes swiftly and sometimes unexpectedly. Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time! 

What does Jesus mean when he says that one person will be taken and another left? God judges each person individually on how they have responded to his mercy and gracious invitation to live as citizens of his kingdom. We cannot pass off personal responsibility to someone else, such as a close friend, spouse, or family member. No one can discharge his or her duty by proxy or by association with someone else. The good news is that God gives grace and help to all who seek him with faith. The Lord Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit so that we may have the wisdom, help, and strength we need to turn away from sin and to embrace his way of love and holiness. The Lord's warning of judgment is a cause for dismay for those who are unprepared, but it brings joyful hope to those who eagerly anticipate the Lord's return in glory. 

God's judgment is good news for those who are ready to meet him. Their reward is God himself, the source of all truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life. The people in Noah's time ignored the Lord's warning of judgment. They missed the boat, literally! Whose boat are you taking – the world's boat to short-lived success and happiness or God's boat to an eternal kingdom and bliss with him? Those whose hope is firmly anchored in heaven will not be disappointed when God's judgment comes. They rejoice even now that they will see the Lord in his glory! Is your hope firmly placed in God and his kingdom? 

"Lord Jesus Christ, I place all my hope in you because you have redeemed the world by your death on the cross and by your victory over the grave. Help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven that I may live each day in joyful anticipation of your return in glory."