"Magkalipay Gid Kamo Kay Dako Nga Balos Ang Inyo Mabaton Didto Sa Langit"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 5:1-12a)

Sang makita ni Jesus ang madamo nga mga tawo, nagtaklad siya sa bakulod kag nagpungko didto. Nagpalapit sa iya ang iya mga sumulunod, kag nagpanudlo siya sa ila nga nagasiling, "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga nagakilala nga nagkulang sila sa Dios, kay sakop sila sa paghari sang Dios. "Bulahan ang mga nagakasubo, kay lipayon sila sang Dios. "Bulahan ang mga malulo, kay mangin ila ang kalibutan. "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga luyag gid maghimo sang kabubut-on sang Dios, kay buligan sila sang Dios sa pagtuman sina nga handom. "Bulahan ang mga maluluy-on, kay kaluoyan sila sang Dios. "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga matinlo ang ila tagipusuon, kay makita nila ang Dios. "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga nagapaluntad sang paghidaet sa mga tawo, kay pagatawgon sila nga mga anak sang Dios. "Bulahan ang mga tawo nga ginahingabot tungod sa ila pagsunod sa kabubut-on sang Dios, kay sakop sila sa paghari sang Dios. "Bulahan kamo kon tungod sa inyo pagsunod sa akon ginayaguta kamo, ginahingabot, kag ginabutang-butangan sang tanan nga kalainan.

Amo man ini ang ila ginhimo sang una sa mga propeta. Gani magkalipay gid kamo kay dako nga balos ang inyo mabaton didto sa langit."

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Meditation:  

What is the good life which God intends for us? And how is it related with the ultimate end or purpose of life? Is it not our desire and longing for true happiness, which is none other than the complete good, the sum of all goods, leaving nothing more to be desired? Jesus addresses this question in his sermon on the mount. The heart of Jesus' message is that we can live a very happy life. The call to holiness, to be saints who joyfully pursue God's will for their lives, can be found in these eight beatitudes. Jesus' beatitudes sum up our calling or vocation – to live a life of the beatitudes. The word beatitude literally means "happiness" or "blessedness". 

What is the significance of Jesus' beatitudes, and why are they so central to his teaching? The beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness that God has placed in every heart. They teach us the final end to which God calls us, namely the coming of God's kingdom (Matthew 4:17), the vision of God (Matthew 5:8; 1 John 2;1), entering into the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21-23) and into his rest (Hebrews 4:7-11).  Jesus' beatitudes also confront us with decisive choices concerning the life we pursue here on earth and the use we make of the goods he puts at our disposal. God alone satisfies. Theresa of Avila's prayer book contained a bookmark which she wrote:  "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices." Is God enough for you? God offers us the greatest good possible – abundant life in Jesus Christ (John 10:10) and the promise of unending joy and happiness with God. Do you seek the highest good, the total good, which is above all else? 

The beatitudes which Jesus offers us are a sign of contradiction to the world's understanding of happiness and joy. How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? Poverty of spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and spiritual oppression. God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world. Thomas Aquinas said: "No one can live without joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures." Do you know the happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone? 

"Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for you and show me the way that leads to everlasting peace and happiness. May I desire you above all else and find perfect joy in doing your will."