Ang Indi Mainandanom Indi Makatambong Sa Punsyon

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 24:42-51)

"Pag-abot sang sina nga adlaw, mapaanggid ang paghari sang Dios sa napulo ka mga dalaga nga nagadala sang ila mga suga kay masugata sila sa nobyo nga kalaslon.

Ang lima sa ila indi mainandamon kag ang lima mainandamon.

Ang lima ka indi mainandamon nagdala sang ila mga suga, ugaling wala sila nagdala sang reserba nga lana agod nga kon maubos ang lana sa ila suga may inugtughong pa sila.

Ang mga dalaga nga mainandamon nagdala man sang ila mga suga kag nagdala pa gid sang reserba nga lana.

Kag tungod nga madugay mag-abot ang nobyo gintuyo sila kag natulugan sila tanan.

"Sang tungang gab-i na may nagsinggit, 'Yari na ang nobyo! Dali kamo, sugataa ninyo siya.'

Ang napulo ka mga dalaga nagbugtaw kag ginpreparar nila ang ila mga suga.

Dayon ang mga dalaga nga indi mainandamon nagsiling sa mga mainandamon, 'Hatagi kami sang inyo lana kay nagapiraw na ang amon suga.'

Nagsabat sila, 'Indi mahimo, kay kon hatagan namon kamo pareho kita nga kulangon. Magkadto na lang kamo sa mga tiyanggi kag magbakal sang para sa inyo.

Paghalin nila agod magbakal sang lana amo man ang pag-abot sang nobyo. Ang lima nga nakapreparar nag-upod sa iya sa punsyon. Pagsulod nila, ginsiraduhan dayon ang puwertahan.

"Dugay-dugay nag-abot man ang lima ka mga dalaga nga nagbakal sang lana, kag nagpanawag, 'Sir, sir, pasudla kami.'

Pero nagsabat ang nobyo, 'Wala ako makakilala sa inyo.' "

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Amo ina nga kinahanglan gid nga magbantay kamo kay wala gid kamo makahibalo kon san-o nga adlaw ukon oras ako maabot."

***

Meditation: 

Are you missing out on what's most important in life? Being unprepared can lead to unnecessary trouble and even disaster! What good is a life-jacket left on the shore when the boat is sinking? Jesus’story of ten single ladies waiting for a wedding procession in the middle of the night seems strange to most westerners today. But Jesus' audience knew all too well how easily this could happen to them. Wedding customs in ancient Palestine required extra vigilance and preparation for everyone involved. (Some near eastern villages still follow this custom.) The bride and groom did not go away for their honeymoon, but celebrated for a whole week with their family and friends. It was the custom for the groom, in company with his friends, to come at his discretion and get his bride and bring her to their new home. They would take the longest route possible so that many villagers along the way could join in the wedding procession. Once they arrived and closed the doors, no one else could be admitted. If the groom decided to come and bring his bride at night, then lights were required by necessity to guide the travelers through the dark and narrow streets. No one was allowed on the village streets at night without a lamp! To show up for a wedding party without proper attire and travel arrangements is like trying to get into a special event today that requires a prearranged permit or reservation. You just don’t get in without the proper pass. Can you imagine the frustration travelers might experience when going abroad and finding out that they can’t get into some country because they dont have the right visa or a valid passport. 

Jesus warns us that there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain things you cannot obtain at the last moment. For example, students cannot prepare for their exams when the day of testing is already upon them. A person cannot get the right kind of character, strength, and skill required for a task at hand unless they already possess it, such as a captain with courage and nautical skills who must steer a ship through a dangerous storm at sea. When the Lord Jesus comes to lead you to his heavenly banquet will you be ready to hear his voice and follow? Our eternal welfare depends on our hearing, and many have trained themselves to not hear. We will not be prepared to meet the Lord, face to face, when he calls us on the day of judgment, unless we listen to him today. The Lord invites us to feast at his heavenly banquet table. Are you ready? 

“Lord Jesus, make me vigilant and attentive to your voice that I may heed your call at all times. May I find joy in your presence and delight in doing your will.”