"Nauna Pa Sa Inyo Nga Nagapasakop Sa Paghari Sang Dios Ang Mga Manugsukot Sang Buhis Kag Ang Mga Babayi Nga Nagbaligya Sang Ila Dungog"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 21:28-32)

Nagsiling liwat si Jesus sa ila, "Suno sa inyo hunahuna, ano ang buot silingon sini? May isa ka tawo nga may duha ka anak nga lalaki. Ginkadtuan niya ang magulang kag ginsilingan, 'Toto, magkadto ka karon sa aton talamnan sang ubas kag mag-obra.'

Nagsabat siya, 'Indi ako!' Pero sang ulihi nagbaylo ang iya hunahuna kag nagkadto siya sa ila talamnan kag nag-obra.

Nagkadto man ang amay sa manghod kag ginsilingan man niya siya pareho sang iya ginsiling sa magulang. Nagsabat ang manghod, 'Huo, tay,' pero wala siya nagtuman.

Ti, diin sa duha ang nagtuman sang sugo sang iya amay?" Nagsabat sila, "Ang magulang." Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Sa pagkamatuod, nauna pa sa inyo nga nagapasakop sa paghari sang Dios ang mga manugsukot sang buhis kag ang mga babayi nga nagbaligya sang ila dungog.

Kay si Juan nga manugbautiso nagkadto diri kag nagtudlo sa inyo sang husto nga paagi agod mangin matarong kamo sa atubangan sang Dios, pero wala kamo nagpati sa iya. Ang mga manugsukot sang buhis kag ang mga babayi nga nagbaligya sang ila dungog nagpati sa iya. Kag bisan nakita ninyo ini, wala gid kamo nagbag-o sang inyo hunahuna kag nagpati sa iya." 

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Meditation: 

Jesus asks us a simple question: What do you think? Who will inherit the kingdom of heaven? Scripture warns that the proud and the haughty will fall, but the humble and lowly will be raised up. Pride leads to sin and rebellion. Humility leads to repentance and submission to the will of God. The prophets of Israel warned their people that unfaithfulness and disobedience would lead to their downfall – they would be scattered among the nations and lose everything that was once precious to them – their temple and holy city Jerusalem, their royal priesthood, their unity as a holy nation, and their covenant relationship with God as his chosen ones would be damaged as well. Israel suffered disgrace and lost hope of mercy and restoration. The prophet Zephaniah reminded his people that God would bring healing, pardon, and restoration to those who turned back to him with repentance and trust. 

Jesus shocked the self-righteous Jews, who outwardly practiced the external rituals of their religion while inwardly harboring evil thoughts and intentions, by declaring that the tax collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before them. Jesus illustrated his point with a simple story of two imperfect sons. The father amply provided for his sons everthing they needed – food, clothing, and shelter. He thought they would be grateful to work for him in exchange for his generous provision and care for them. He expected them to show their gratitude and respect through their obedience and diligence in tending his vineyard. Although the "rebellious" son told his father to his face that he would not work for him, he afterwards changed his mind and did what his father commanded him to do. The "good" son said he would work for his father, but didn't carry through. He did his own will contrary to his father's will. Now who was really the good son? Both sons disobeyed their father; but one repented and then did what the father told him. 

Jesus makes his point clear: Good intentions are not enough. And promises don't count unless they are performed. God wants to change our hearts so that we will show by our actions that we respect his will and do it. God offers each of us the greatest treasure possible – unending peace, joy, happiness, and life with him in his kingdom. We can lose that treasure if we refuse the grace God offers us to follow in his way of truth, love, and righteousness. Jesus encourages us to think – to think about the consequences of our choices, especially the choices and decisions that will count not just for now but for eternity as well. The choices we make now will affect and shape our future, both our future on earth as well as in the life of the age to come. Are you ready to obey your heavenly Father and to choose for his kingdom of righteousness and peace? 

"Lord Jesus, change my heart that I may desire to do whatever is pleasing to you. Help me to respect your will and give me the strength, joy, and perseverance to carry it out wholeheartedly."