Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 12:28-34)

May isa ka manunudlo sang Kasuguan didto nga nakabati sang ila diskusyon. Nabatian niya nga maayo ang sabat ni Jesus. Gani nagpalapit siya kag nagpamangkot man, "Ano gid bala ang labing importante nga sugo?"

Nagsabat si Jesus, "Ang labing importante nga sugo amo ini: 'Pamati kamo nga mga taga-Israel! Ang Ginoo nga aton Dios amo lang ang Ginoo.

Gani higugmaon mo ang Ginoo nga imo Dios sa bug-os mo nga tagipusuon, sa bug-os mo nga kalag, sa bug-os mo nga hunahuna kag sa tanan mo nga ginahimo.'

Ang madason nga labing importante nga sugo amo ini: 'Higugmaon mo ang imo kapareho pareho sang paghigugma mo sa imo kaugalingon.' Wala na sing sugo nga labaw pa sa sining duha."

Nagsiling ang manunudlo sang Kasuguan sa iya, "Husto ka manunudlo! Matuod ang imo ginasiling nga may isa lang ka Dios kag wala na sing iban pa.

Kag ang paghigugma sa iya sa bug-os nga tagipusuon, sa bug-os nga hunahuna, kag sa tanan naton nga ginahimo, kag ang paghigugma sa aton kapareho pareho sang paghigugma naton sa aton kaugalingon mas importante sang sa tanan nga halad nga sinunog kag iban pa nga mga halad."

Pagkabati ni Jesus nga husto gid ang iya mga sabat, nagsiling siya sa iya, "Malapit ka na nga masakop sa paghari sang Dios." Pagkatapos sadto wala na gid sing may nangahas nga magpamangkot kay Jesus.

***

Meditation:
How does love and obedience to God’s law go together? The Pharisees prided themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. They made it a life-time practice to study the six hundred and thirteen precepts of the Old Testament along with the numerous rabbinic commentaries. They tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus startled them with his profound simplicity and mastery of the law of God and its purpose. What does God require of us? Simply that we love as he loves! God is love and everything he does flows from his love for us. God loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding grace and kindness towards us. The love of God comes first and the love of neighbor is firmly grounded in the love of God. The more we know of God's love and truth the more we love what he loves and reject what is hateful and contrary to his will.

What makes our love for God and his commands grow in us? Faith in God and hope in his promises strengthen us in the love of God. They are essential for a good relationship with God, for being united with him. The more we know of God the more we love him and the more we love him the greater we believe and hope in his promises. The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, gives us a new freedom to love as he loves (Galatians 5:13). Do you allow anything to keep you from the love of God and the joy of serving others with a generous heart? Paul the Apostle says: hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us (Romans 5:5). Do you know the love which conquers all?

"We love you, O our God; and we desire to love you more and more. Grant to us that we may love you as much as we desire, and as much as we ought. O dearest friend, who has so loved and saved us, the thought of whom is so sweet and always growing sweeter, come with Christ and dwell in our hearts; that you keep a watch over our lips, our steps, our deeds, and we shall not need to be anxious either for our souls or our bodies. Give us love, sweetest of all gifts, which knows no enemy. Give us in our hearts pure love, born of your love to us, that we may love others as you love us. O most loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let our hearts, frozen in sin, cold to you and cold to others, be warmed by this divine fire. So help and bless us in your Son." (Prayer of Anselm, 12th century)

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 8:14-21)

Nalipat ang mga gintuton-an sa pagdala sang tinapay luwas sang isa ka bilog nga nadala nila sa sakayan.

Ginpaandaman sila ni Jesus, "Mag-andam kamo kag magbantay sang inyo kaugalingon batok sa lebadora sang mga Pariseo kag ni Herodes."

Nagbinaisay sila kag nagsiling, "Ginhambal niya tungod kay wala kita sing tinapay."

Si Jesus nakahibalo sang ila ginabaisan, gani ginpamangkot niya sila, "Ngaa bala nga ginabaisan ninyo ang kakulang sang tinapay? Wala pa bala kamo makahibalo ukon makahangop? Mango gid bala kamo?

May mga mata man kamo, kag indi bala kamo makakita? May mga dulunggan man kamo, kag indi bala kamo makabati? Wala bala kamo makadumdum sang ginpamihakpihak ko ang lima ka bilog nga tinapay para sa 5,000 ka mga tawo? Pila ka alat ang napuno sang nabilin nga inyo gintipon?" Nagsabat sila, "Dose!"

Si Jesus nagpamangkot, "Kag sang ginpamihakpihak ko ang pito ka bilog nga tinapay para sa 4,000 ka mga tawo, pila bala ka alat ang napuno sang natipon ninyo nga sobra?" Nagsabat sila, "Pito!"

Nagpamangkot sia sa ila, "Kag indi pa bala kamo makahangop?"

***

Meditation:
What do you do when you come to the end of your resources – when you feel inadequate, shorthanded, or empty? Do you wring your hands, complain, fret, and give in to worry, fear, and despair? Mark tells us that the apostles set off in their boat across the Sea of Galilee only to discover that they forgot to bring enough food for their journey. What were they to do miles away from land and any place where they could buy food and supplies? They were anxious of course, and this was right after Jesus had performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes where the disciples fed more than four thousand people (Mark 8:1-9). Jesus knew the trouble in his disciples' hearts even before they could speak. Jesus dealt with their anxiety by first warning them to not fear what can harm the body rather than what can destroy the very heart and soul of their being.

Jesus cautioned the disciples to beware of the bread that corrupts and leads to death, such as the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. Our "daily bread" is whatever nourishes us, not just physically, but spiritually, intellectually, and morally as well. Why did Jesus tell his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod? To the Jew leaven was a sign of evil. It was a piece of dough left-over from a previous baking. In due course it fermented and this fermented dough became leaven. Fermentation was associated with decomposing rot. Jesus warned his disciples to avoid the evil influence of the Pharisees and of Herod who sought their own counsels rather than the will of God. As the apostles continued to worry about their lack of bread, Jesus reminded them of his miraculous provision of bread in the feeding of the four thousand. He then upbraided them for their lack of trust in God. Do you not yet understand? It's easy to get preoccupied with the problems and needs of the present moment and to forget the most important reality of all – God's abiding presence with us and his abundant provision for our lives as well. Do you pray with joyful confidence, Father, give us this day our daily bread?

"Lord Jesus, you alone can sustain me with your life-giving Word and Spirit. Give me joy and strength to serve you always and help me to turn away from the leaven of sin and worldliness which brings corruption and death."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 8:11-13)

May mga Pariseo nga nagpalapit kay kag nagpakighusay sa kay Jesus. Luyag nila nga tilawan sia, gani nagpangayo sila sing isa ka milagro sa pagpakita nga may gahom siya halin sa Dios.

Nagpanghakroy si Jesus sing malawig kag nagsiling, "Ngaa bala nga ang mga tawo karon nga mga inadlaw nagapangita sang isa ka milagro? Nagasiling ako sa inyo, nga wala sing milagro nga ipakita sa sini nga mga tawo!"

Ginbayaan sila ni Jesus, nagbalik siya sa sakayan kag nagtabok sa pihak sang linaw.

***

Meditation:
Are you good at reading signs? Signs tell us what is coming ahead. The people of Jesus' time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. The religious leaders tested Jesus to see if he had a genuine sign from heaven to back his Messianic claims. False messiahs in the past had made extraordinary claims to attract their followers, such as claiming that they could cleave the Jordan River in two or cause the walls of Jerusalem to fall. Jesus knew the hearts of those who came to test him. They were more interested in seeing signs and supernatural phenomena than they were in hearing the word of God. Simeon had prophesied at Jesus' birth that he was "destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that inner thoughts of many will be revealed" (Luke 2:34-35). Jesus gave them no sign except himself and the ultimate proof of his divinity when he rose from the dead.

The Lord reveals himself and makes his presence known to us in many ways – in his word and in the "breaking of the bread" in the Eucharist, in his church – the body of Christ, in his creation, and even in the everyday circumstances of our lives. If we seek the Lord, we will surely find him. And we can be confident that he will give us whatever we need to understand and carry out his will. Most of all the Lord assures us of his daily presence and the promise that he will never leave us. 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?

"Lord Jesus, may I always recognize your saving presence in my life and never forget your promises when I encounter trials and difficulties. Give me a faith that never wavers, a hope that never fades, and a love that never grows cold."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 8:1-10)

Sa wala lang madugay, nagtipon liwat ang madamo nga mga tawo. Sang wala na sila sing nabilin nga kalan-on, gintawag ni Jesus ang iya mga gintuton-an kag nagsiling sa ila, "Naluoy ako sa sini nga mga tawo, kay tatlo na ini ka adlaw ang ila pag-upod sa akon kag karon wala na sila sing kalan-on.

Kon papaulion ko sila nga wala makakaon basi malipong sila sa dalanon kay malayo ang ginhalinan sang iban sa ila."

Ang iya mga gintuton-an nagpamangkot sa iya, "Diin bala kita sa sini nga desierto makakita sang kalan-on nga maka-igo sa sini tanan nga mga tawo?"

Nagpamangkot si Jesus, "Pila pa ka bilog ang inyo tinapay?" Nagsabat sila, "Pito."

Ginsugo niya ang mga tawo nga maglingkod sa duta. Dayon ginkuha niya ang pito ka bilog nga tinapay, nagpasalamat sia sa Dios, ginpamihak-pihak niya ini kag ginhatag sa iya mga gintuton-an agod ipanagtag nila sa mga tawo, kag ginpanagtag ini sang mga gintuton-an.

May pila man sila ka bilog nga magagmay nga isda. Nagpasalamat si Jesus tungod sini kag iya ginsugo ang iya mga gintuton-an nga ipanagtag man ini.

Ang tanan nagkalaon kag nagkalabusog, kag ang kadamuon sang mga tawo mga 4,000.

Sa tapos sini ang mga nabilin gintipon sang mga gintuton-an kag napuno ang pito ka alat. Ginapapauli ni Jesus ang mga tawo kag sa gilayon nagsakay siya sa isa ka sakayan upod ang iya mga gintuton-an kag nagkadto sila sa distrito sang Dalmanuta.

***

Meditation:

Can anything on earth truly satisfy the hunger we experience for God? The enormous crowd that pressed upon Jesus for three days were hungry for something more than physical food. They hung upon Jesus’ words because they were hungry for God. When the disciples were confronted by Jesus with the task of feeding four thousand people many miles away from any source of food, they exclaimed: Where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? The Israelites were confronted with the same dilemma when they fled Egypt and found themselves in a barren wilderness. Like the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, Jesus, himself provides bread in abundance for the hungry crowd who came out into the desert to seek him. The gospel records that all were satisfied and they took up what was leftover. When God gives he gives abundantly – more than we deserve and more than we need so that we may have something to share with others as well. The Lord Jesus nourishes and sustains us with his life-giving word and with his heavenly bread.

The sign of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes through his disciples, prefigures the superabundance of the unique bread of his Eucharist or Lord’s Supper. When we receive from the Lord’s table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D.) calls it the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (Ad Eph. 20,2). This supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward. When you approach the Table of the Lord, what do you expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and refreshment for your soul? The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving from the Lord's Table is an intimate union with Christ himself. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ. Do you hunger for Jesus, the true "bread of life"?

"Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the hunger in our lives. Fill me with greatful joy and eager longing for the true heavenly bread which gives health, strength, and wholeness to body and soul alike.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 7:31-37)

Dayon naghalin si Jesus sa kadutaan sang Tiro kag nagpadulong sa Linaw sang Galilea. Nag-agi siya sa Sidon kag sa mga duog nga sakop sang Decapolis.

May isa ka tawo nga bungol kag halos makahambal nga gindala sang mga tawo kay Jesus, kag nagpakiluoy sila sa iya nga itungtong niya ang iya mga kamot sa bungol.

Gindala siya ni Jesus sa unhan malayo sa madamo nga mga tawo, kag gin-gulo ni Jesus ang iya mga tudlo sa duha ka dulunggan sang tawo, nagdupla si Jesus kag gintandog niya ang dila sang tawo.

Dayon nagtangla si Jesus sa langit, nagpangamuyo sing madali kag nagsiling sa iya, "Effata," nga kon sayuron, "Magbukas ka!"

Sa gilayon nabuksan ang iya dulonggan kag nagtugak ang iya dila, kag naghambal siya sing maathag.

Dayon nagmando si Jesus sa ila tanan nga indi magpanugid sa kay bisan sin-o sang nahanabo, pero sa sagad niya dumili sa ila tapat pa gani nga ginpanugid nila.

Ang tanan nga nakabati sini natingala gid. Nagsiling sila, "Daw ano kaayo ang paghimo niya sang tanan nga mga butang. Ginahimo niya nga makabati ang mga bungol kag makahambal ang mga apa!"

***

Meditation:
How do you expect the Lord to treat you, when you ask for his help? Do you approach with fear and doubt, or with faith and confidence? Jesus never turned anyone aside who approached him with sincerity and trust. And whatever Jesus did, he did well. He demonstrated both the beauty and goodness of God in his actions. When Jesus approaches a man who is both deaf and a stutterer, Jesus shows his considerateness for this man's predicament. Jesus takes him aside privately, not doubt to remove him from embarrassment with a noisy crowd of gawkers. Jesus then puts his fingers into the deaf man's ears and he touches the man's tongue with his own spittle to physically identify with this man's infirmity and to awaken faith in him. With a word of command the poor man's ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

What is the significance of Jesus putting his fingers into the man’s ears? Gregory the Great, a church father from the 6th century, comments on this miracle: “The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord puts his fingers into the ears of the deaf mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

The people's response to this miracle testifies to Jesus' great care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden was too much for Jesus' careful consideration. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. Do you show kindness and compassion to your neighbors and do you treat them with considerateness as Jesus did?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and inflame my heart with love and compassion. Make me attentive to the needs of others that I may show them kindness and care. Make me an instrument of your mercy and peace that I may help others find healing and wholeness in you."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 7:24-30)

Dayon si Jesus naglakat kag nagkadto sa kadutaan nga malapit sa siyudad sang Tiro. Nagdayon siya sa isa ka balay, kag indi siya luyag nga may makahibalo nga yara siya, pero indi gid matago sa mga tawo nga yara sia.

Ang isa ka iloy nga may anak nga babayi nga ginagamhan sang malaut nga espiritu, nakabati nahanungod kay Jesus kag nagkadto sia gilayon sa iya, kag nagluhod sa iya tiilan. Ini nga babayi isa ka dumoluong nga taga-Fenicia, sakop sang Siria. Nagpakiluoy sia kay Jesus nga tabugon ang yawa nga yara sa iya anak.

Pero nagsabat si Jesus, "Busgon ta anay sing una ang mga anak, kay indi matarong nga kuhaon ang pagkaon sang mga anak kag ihaboy sa mga ido."

Ang babayi nagsabat, "Husto ina, Ginoo, bisan ang mga ido sa idalom sang lamisa nagakaon sang mga usik sang mga anak!"

Gani nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Tungod sinang imo sabat, makapauli ka na, ang yawa nagguwa na sa imo anak!"

Gani nagpauli sia kag nakita niya ang iya anak nga nagahigda kag matuod gid nga nakagwa na ang yawa sa iya.

***

Meditation:

Do you ever feel "put-off" by the Lord? This passage describes the only occasion in which Jesus ministered outside of Jewish territory. (Tyre and Sidon were fifty miles north of Israel and still exist today in modern Lebanon.) A Gentile woman – an outsider who was not a member of the chosen people – puts Jesus on the spot by pleading with him to show mercy to her daughter who was tormented with an evil spirit. At first Jesus seemed to pay no attention to her, and this made his disciples feel embarrassed. Jesus very likely did this not to put the woman off, but rather to test her sincerity and to awaken faith in her.

What did Jesus mean by the expression "throwing bread to the dogs"? The Jews often spoke of the Gentiles with arrogance and insolence as "unclean dogs" since the Gentiles were excluded from God's covenant and favor with Israel. For the Greeks the "dog" was a symbol of dishonor and was used to describe a shameless and audacious woman. Matthew's gospel records the expression do not give dogs what is holy (Matthew 7:6). Jesus, no doubt, spoke with a smile rather than with an insult because this woman immediately responds with wit and faith – "even the dogs eat the crumbs". Jesus praises a Gentile woman for her persistent faith and for her affectionate love. She made the misery of her child her own and she was willing to suffer rebuff in order to obtain healing for her loved one. She also had indomitable persistence. Her faith grew in contact with the person of Jesus. She began with a request and she ended on her knees in worshipful prayer to the living God. No one who ever sought Jesus with faith – whether Jew or Gentile – was refused his help. Do you seek Jesus with expectant faith?

"Lord Jesus, your love and mercy knows no bounds. May I trust you always and never doubt your loving care and mercy. Increase my faith in your saving help and deliver me for all evil and harm."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 7:14-23)

Dayon ginpanawag liwat ni Jesus ang mga tawo kag ginsingganan niya sila, "Pamati kamo tanan sa akon, kag hangpa ninyo.

Wala sing butang nga nagasulod sa tawo nga makadagta sa iya, kundi ang nagagwa sa iya.

[Gani, kon sin-o ang luyag magpamati, magpamati sia!]"

Sang mabayaan ni Jesus ang mga tawo nagsulod siya sa isa ka balay. Dayon ang iya mga gintuton-an nagpamangkot sa iya sang kahulugan sining palaanggiran.

Si Jesus nagsiling sa ila, "Wala gid kamo sing kinalis sa iban nga indi makahangop! Wala sing bisan ano nga nagasulod sa tawo nga makadagta sa iya, tungod kay wala ini nagakadto sa iya tagipusuon kundi sa iya tiyan kag dayon nagaguwa sa lawas." (Ini nagakahulogan nga si Jesus nagakabig nga ang tanan nga pagkaon bagay kaunon.)

Kag nagpadayon siya sa pagsiling, "Ang nagaguwa sa tawo amo ang nagadagta sa iya.

Kay halin sa tagipusuon sang tawo nagagikan ang malain nga mga painuino nga amo ang nagatulod sa iya sa paghimo sang mga imoralidad, pagpangawat, pagpatay, pagpanginlalaki ukon pagpanginbabayi, pag-ibog, pagbuhat sang tanan nga sahi sang malain nga mga butang, pagdaya, pagbinastos, paghimo sang butang nga malaw-ay, paghisa, pagpasipala, pagpabugal, kag pagbinuang.

Ini tanan nga kalainan nagahalin sa sulod sang tawo kag amo ang nagadagta sa iya."

***

Meditation:

Where does evil come from and can we eliminate it from our personal lives? Jesus deals with this issue in response to the religious leaders' concern with ritual defilement – making oneself unfit to offer acceptable worship and sacrifice to God. The religious leaders were very concerned with avoiding ritual defilement, some no doubt out of reverent fear of God, and others because they wanted to be seen as observant Jews. Jesus points his listeners to the source of true defilement – evil desires which come from inside a person's innermost being. Sin does not just happen from external forces. It first springs from the innermost recesses of our thoughts and intentions, from the secret desires which only the individual mind and heart can conceive.

When Cain became jealous of his brother Abel, God warned him to guard his own heart: "Sin is couching at the door; it's desire is for you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7). Cain unfortunately did not take God's warning to heart. He allowed his jealousy to grow into spite and hatred for his brother, and he began to look for an opportunity to eliminate his brother alltogether. When jealously and other sinful desires come knocking at the door of your heart, how do you respond? Do you entertain them and allow them to overtake you? Fortunately God does not leave us alone in our struggle with hurtful desires and sinful tendencies. He gives us the grace and strength we need to resist and overcome sin when it couches at the door of our heart.

The Lord wants to set us free from the burden of guilt and from the destructive force of sin in our personal lives. He wants to purify our hearts and renew our minds so we can love and act in every situation as he would love and act. The Lord is ready to change and purify our hearts through the grace and help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Like a physician who probes the wound before treating it, God through his Word and Spirit first brings sin into the light that we may recognize it for what it truly is and call upon his mercy and grace for pardon and healing. The Spirit of truth is our Consoler and Helper. His power and grace enables us to choose what is good and to reject what is evil. Do you believe in the power of God's love to heal, change, and transform your heart and mind?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and make my heart like yours. Strengthen my heart, mind, and my will that I may freely choose to love what is good and to reject what is evil."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 7:1-13)

Ang mga Pariseo kag ang iban nga mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan nga nag-abot halin sa Jerusalem nagtipon sa palibot ni Jesus.

Ila napanilagan nga ang iban niya nga mga gintuton-an nagakaon nga indi matinlo ang ila mga kamot, kon sayuron, wala sila makapanghinaw suno sa paagi nga ginapatuman sang mga Pariseo sa mga tawo.

Kay ang mga Pariseo, subong man ang iban nga mga Judio, nagasunod sa mga pagtulon-an nga nabaton nila sa ila mga katigulangan. Wala sila nagakaon kon wala matinloi ang ila mga kamot suno sa gintudlo sa ila.

Wala man sila nagakaon sang bisan ano nga ginbakal sa tiyenda kon indi anay nila matinloan. May madamo pa nga sinadto nga mga pagsulundan nga ila ginatuman subong sang pagpanghugas sang mga tasa, kulon, kaldero nga saway, kag higdaan.

Gani ang mga Pariseo kag ang mga manunudlo sang Kasuguan nagpamangkot sa kay Jesus, "Ngaa bala nga ang imo mga gintuton-an wala nagasunod sang gintudlo sang aton mga katigulangan kag nagakaon sila nga wala matinloi ang ila mga kamot?"

Ginsabat sila ni Jesus, "Wala gid magsala si Isaias sang iya pagtagna nahanungod sa inyo. Mga salimpapaw kamo subong sang iya ginsulat: 'Ang Dios nagsiling, Ginapadunggan ako sining mga tawo sang ila mga bibig, pero ang ila tagipusuon malayo gid sa akon. Wala pulos ang ila pagsimba sa akon, kay ginapatuman nila ang mga kasugoan sang tawo subong nga mga kasugoan sang Dios!'"

Kag si Jesus nagsiling, "Ginasikway ninyo ang kasugoan sang Dios kag ginatuman ninyo ang mga pagtulon-an sang mga tawo."

Kag nagpadayon si Jesus sa pagsiling, "Maayo gid kamo mangita sing padihot sa pagsikway sang ginapatuman sang Dios agod nga masunod ninyo ang inyo gid iya pagtulon-an!

Kay si Moises nagsugo, 'Tahura ang imo amay kag iloy,' kag nagsiling pa gid sia, 'Ang bisan sin-o nga nagahambal sing malain batok sa iya amay kag iloy dapat patyon.'

Pero kamo nagatudlo nga kon ang isa ka tawo may sarang ihatag sa pagbulig sa iya amay ukon iloy, pero nagasiling sia, 'Korban ini' (kon sayuron, 'iya ini sang Dios'), indi na sia dapat magbulig pa sa iya amay kag iloy.

Sa sini nga paagi ginapakawalay pulos ninyo ang pulong sang Dios tungod sang pagtulon-an nga inyo ginpaalinton sa iban. Kag madamo pa nga pareho sini ang inyo ginahimo."

***

Meditation:

What makes a person unclean or unfit to offer God acceptable worship? The Jews went to great pains to ensure that their worship would conform to the instructions which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. God's call to his people was a call to holiness: "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44; 19:2). In their zeal for holiness many elders developed elaborate traditions which became a burden for the people to carry out in their everyday lives. The Scribes and Pharisees were upset with Jesus because he allowed his disciples to break with their ritual traditions by eating with unclean hands. They sent a delegation all the way from Jerusalem to Galilee to bring their accusation in a face-to-face confrontation with Jesus. Jesus dealt with their accusation by going to the heart of the matter – by looking at God's intention and purpose for the commandments. Jesus gave an example of how their use of ritual tradition excused them from fulfilling the commandment to honor one's father and mother. If someone wanted to avoid the duty of financially providing for their parents in old age or sickness they could say that their money or goods were an offering "given over to God" and thus exempt from any claim of charity or duty to help others. They broke God's law to fulfull a law of their own making. Jesus explained that they void God's command because they allowed their hearts and minds to be clouded by their own notions of religion.

Jesus accused them specifically of two things. First of hypocrisy. Like actors, who put on a show, they appear to obey God's word in their external practices while they inwardly harbor evil desires and intentions. Secondly, he accused them of abandoning God's word by substituting their own arguments and ingenious interpretations for what God requires. They listened to clever arguments rather than to God's word. Jesus refers them to the prophecy of Isaiah (29:31) where the prophet accuses the people of his day for honoring God with their lips while their hearts went astray because of disobedience to God's laws.

If we listen to God's word with faith and reverence, it will both enlighten our mind ands purify the hearts – thus enabling us to better understand how he wants us to love and obey him. The Lord invites us to draw near to him and to feast at his banquet table. Do you approach with a clean heart and mind? Ask the Lord to cleanse and renew you with the purifying fire of his Holy Spirit.

"Lord Jesus, let the fire of your Holy Spirit cleanse my mind and my heart that I may love you purely and serve you worthily."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 6:30-34)

Ang mga apostoles nagbalik sa kay Jesus kag ginsugiran nila sia sang tanan nga ila nahimo kag napanudlo.

Sa pagkadamo sang mga tawo ang nagapakadto-pakari sa bagay nga si Jesus kag ang iya mga gintuton-an wala na gani sing tion bisan sa pagkaon. Gani nagsiling sia sa ila. "Dali, masaylo kita sa isa ka duog nga kitahanon lang agod makapahuway-huway kamo."

Gani nagsakay sila sa sakayan nga silahanon lang kag nagkadto sa isa ka naligwin nga duog.

Pero madamo nga mga tawo ang nakakita sang ila paghalin kag nakahibalo dayon kon sin-o sila. Gani naggwa sila sa ila mga banwa kag nagdalagan pakadto sa ginapadulongan ni Jesus kag sang iya mga gintuton-an, kag una pa sila makaabot didto.

Sang pagtakas ni Jesus, nakita niya ang masyado kadamo nga mga tawo kag nagbatyag sia sing kaluoy sa ila kay subong sila sang mga karnero nga wala sing manugbantay. Kag gintudluan niya sila sang madamo nga mga butang.

***

Meditation:

What does the image of a shepherd tell us about God’s care for us? Shepherding was one of the oldest of callings in Israel, even before farming, since the Chosen People had traveled from place to place, living in tents, and driving their flocks from one pasture to another. Looking after sheep was no easy calling. It required great skill and courage. Herds were often quite large, thousands or even ten thousands of sheep. The flocks spent a good part of the year in the open country. Watching over them required a great deal of attention and care. Sheep who strayed from the flock had to be sought out and brought back by the shepherd. Since hyenas, jackals, wolves, and even bear were common and fed on sheep, the shepherds often had to do battle with these wild and dangerous beasts. A shepherd literally had to put his life on the line in defending his sheep. Shepherds took turns watching the sheep at night to ward off any attackers. The sheep and their shepherds continually lived together. Their life was so intimately bound together that individual sheep, even when mixed with other flocks, could recognize the voice of their own shepherd and would come immediately when called by name.

The Old Testament often spoke of God as shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus told his disciples that he was the Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4, John 10). When he saw the multitude of people in need of protection and care, he was moved to respond with compassionate concern. His love was a personal love for each and every person who came to him in need. Peter the apostle called Jesus the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). Do you know the peace and security of a life freely submitted to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? In the person of the Lord Jesus we see the unceasing vigilance and patience of God's love. In our battle against sin and evil, Jesus is ever ready to give us help, strength, and refuge. Do you trust in his grace and help at all times?

"Lord Jesus, you guard and protect us from all evil. Help me to stand firm in your word and to trust in your help in all circumstances. May I always find rest and refuge in the shelter of your presence."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 6:14-29)

Nakaabot kay Haring Herodes ang mga balita parte kay Jesus tungod nga nagbantog na siya. Ang iban nagasiling nga si Jesus amo si Juan nga manugbautiso nga nabanhaw, amo ina nga may gahom siya sa paghimo sang mga milagro.

Pero nagasiling ang iban nga siya si Elias nga propeta. Kag nagasiling pa gid ang iban nga siya isa ka propeta nga pareho sang mga propeta sang una.

Pero pagkabati ni Herodes sina nga mga balita, nagsiling siya, "Nabanhaw si Juan nga akon ginpapugutan sang ulo."

Ginpapugutan ni Herodes sang ulo si Juan tungod sang dumot ni Herodias sa iya, kay amo ini ang natabo: Ginpangasawa ni Herodes si Herodias nga asawa sang iya utod nga si Felipe. Permi lang ginahambalan ni Juan si Herodes nga indi husto ang iya pagpangasawa sa asawa sang iya utod. Gani tungod kay Herodias, ginpadakop ni Herodes si Juan kag ginpapriso.

Kag tungod sa dumot ni Herodias kay Juan gusto niya nga ipapatay siya, pero indi niya mahimo tungod nga indi magsugot si Herodes.

Kay nahadlok si Herodes kay Juan tungod nga nahibaluan niya nga si Juan diosnon kag matarong nga tawo. Gani gin-apinan ni Herodes si Juan agod indi maano. Gusto ni Herodes nga magpamati sa mga wali ni Juan bisan matuod nga ang iya mga nabatian nagapalibog sang iya ulo.

Sang ulihi nag-abot gid man ang tion nga ginahulat ni Herodias. Natabo ini sa kaadlawan ni Herodes. Nagpapunsyon si Herodes kag gin-imbitar niya ang mga opisyal sang Galilea, ang mga kumander sang Romanhon nga mga soldado, kag ang mga kilala nga mga tawo didto.

Sa tion na sang punsyon, nagsulod ang dalaga nga anak ni Herodias kag nagsaot. Nalipay gid si Herodes kag ang iya mga bisita. Gani nagsiling si Herodes sa dalaga, "Pangayo ka sa akon sang bisan ano nga imo naluyagan kag ihatag ko sa imo."

Kag siling pa gid niya sa dalaga, "Ginasumpa ko nga bisan ano ang imo pangayuon sa akon ihatag ko sa imo, bisan katunga pa sang akon ginharian."

Nagguwa ang dalaga kag nagpamangkot sa iya iloy kon ano ang iya pangayuon. Nagsabat ang iya iloy nga pangayuon niya ang ulo ni Juan nga manugbautiso.

Dayon nagdali-dali siya balik sa hari. Pag-abot niya didto nagsiling siya, "Gusto ko nga ihatag mo sa akon subong ang ulo ni Juan nga manugbautiso nga nabutang sa bandihado."

Pagkabati sadto sang hari nagkasubo gid siya. Pero tungod nga nakapanumpa siya kag nabatian mismo sang iya mga bisita, indi niya gusto nga maguba ang iya promisa sa dalaga.

Sa gilayon ginsugo niya ang isa ka soldado nga dalhon sa iya ang ulo ni Juan. Gani naglakat ang soldado sa prisohan kag ginpugutan sang ulo si Juan.

Pagkatapos, ginbutang niya sa bandihado ang ulo ni Juan kag ginhatag sa dalaga, kag ginhatag man sang dalaga sa iya iloy.

Pagkabati sang mga sumulunod ni Juan parte sa natabo, ginkadtuan nila kag ginkuha ang lawas ni Juan kag ginlubong.

***

Meditation:
Do you ever feel haunted by a past failure or a guilty conscience? King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Herod had respected and feared John the Baptist as a great prophet and servant of God. John, however did not fear to rebuke Herod for his adulterous relationship with his brother's wife. John ended up in prison because of Herodias' jealousy. Herod, out of impulse and a desire to please his family and friends, had John beheaded. Now Herod's conscience is pricked when he hears that some think that the Baptist has risen.

When Herod heard the fame of Jesus he supposed that John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, had returned from the dead. Unfortunately for Herod, he could not rid himself of sin by ridding himself of the man who confronted him with his sin. Herod was a weak man. He could take a strong stand on the wrong things when he knew the right. Such a stand, however, was a sign of weakness and cowardice. The Lord gives grace to the humble, to those who acknowledge their sins and who seek God's mercy and pardon. His grace and pardon not only frees us from a guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in thought and action as well. God's grace enables us to fight fear with faith and to overcome the temptation to compromise goodness and truth with wrongdoing and falsehood. Do you rely on God's grace and help to choose his way of holiness and to reject whatever would compromise your faith and loyalty to Christ?

"Heavenly Father, form in me the likeness of your Son that I may imitate him in word and deed. Help me to live the gospel faithfully and give me the strength and courage I need to not shrink back in the face of adversity and temptation."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 6:7-13)

Gintawag niya ang dose niya ka apostoles kag ginpadala niya sila sing tagduha-duha. Ginhatagan niya sila sing gahom batok sa malaot nga mga espiritu.

Ginmanduan niya sila, "Indi kamo magdala sang bisan ano sa inyo paglakat kundi baston gid lang. Indi man kamo magdala sang pagkaon, kuwarta ukon bag.

Puwede kamo makasuksok sang sandalyas, pero indi kamo magdala sang ilislan nga bayo.

Kon padayunon kamo sa isa ka balay, dira gid lang kamo magtiner hasta maghalin kamo sa sina nga lugar.

Pero kon ang mga tawo sa isa ka lugar indi magbaton sa inyo kag indi magpamati sang inyo ginawali, bayai lang ninyo sila, kag sa paghalin ninyo, taktaka ninyo ang yab-ok sa inyo tiil bilang paandam batok sa ila."

Gani naglakat sila kag nagwali nga dapat maghinulsol ang mga tawo sa ila mga sala.

Madamo nga malaot nga mga espiritu ang ila gintabog kag madamo nga mga masakiton ang ila ginhaplasan sang lana nga nag-alayo.

***

Meditation:

What kind of authority and power does the Lord want you to exercise on his behalf? Jesus gave his apostles both the power and the authority to speak and to act in his name. He commanded them to do the works which he did – to heal. to cast out evil spirits, and to speak the word of God – the good news of the gospel which they received from Jesus. When Jesus spoke of power and authority he did something unheard of. He wedded power and authority with love and humility. The "world" and the "flesh" seek power for selfish gain. Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.

Why does Jesus tell the apostles to "travel light" with little or no provision? "Poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants his disciples to be dependent on him and not on themselves. He wills to work through and in each of us for his glory. Are you ready to handle the power and authority which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?

"Lord Jesus, make me a channel of your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in you. Free me from all other attachments that I may joyfully pursue the things of heaven. May I witness the joy of the gospel both in word and deed."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 6:1-6)

Pagkatapos sadto, nagpauli si Jesus sa iya banwa, kag nag-upod sa iya ang iya mga sumulunod.

Pag-abot sang Adlaw nga Inugpahuway nagpanudlo siya sa simbahan sang mga Judio. Madamo nga mga tawo didto ang nakabati sa iya kag natingala gid sila. Siling nila, "Ngaa madamo sang nahibaluan ang tawo nga ini? Sa diin bala siya nakakuha sini nga kaalam? Kag ngaa makahimo siya sang mga milagro?

Indi bala siya ang panday nga anak ni Maria kag utod nila ni Santiago, Jose, Judas kag Simon? Kag indi bala ang mga utod niya nga mga babayi diri man nagapauli?" Gani indi gid sila magtuo sa iya.

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Ginatahod ang propeta bisan diin luwas lang sa iya kaugalingon nga banwa kag sa iya mga paryente kag panimalay."

Amo ina nga wala siya makahimo sang mga milagro sa sadto nga lugar, luwas lang sa pila ka mga masakiton nga iya gintandog sang iya kamot kag nag-ayo.

Natingala siya nga indi sila magtuo sa iya. Pagkatapos sadto naglibot si Jesus nga nagapanudlo sa mga baryo.

***

Meditation:
Are you critical towards others, especially those who may be close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, or neighbor or co-worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown?

Jesus startled his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?

The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom to the afflicted who suffered from physical, mental, or spiritual oppression (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free – not only from their physical, mental, and spiritual infirmities - but also from the worst affliction of all – the tyranny of slavery to sin, Satan, and the fear of losing one's life. God's power alone can save us from hopelessness, dejection, and emptiness of life. The gospel of salvation is "good news" for everyone who will receive it. Do you know the joy and freedom of the gospel?

"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings grace, truth, freedom, and abundant life. Set my heart on fire with your love and truth."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 4:21-25)

Pagkatapos sadto nagpadayon pa gid sa paghambal si Jesus sa ila, "Kon ang tawo magsindi sang suga, wala niya ginataklubi ukon ginabutang sa idalom sang katre, kundi ginabutang niya sa tulungtungan.
Amo man ina nga wala gid sing tinago nga indi magguwa sa ulihi, kag wala sang sekreto parte sa paghari sang Dios nga indi mabuyagyag.
Dapat intiendihon gid ninyo ining inyo nabatian."
Nagsiling pa gid siya, "Pamatii ninyo ako sing maayo! Magahatag ang Dios sa inyo sing pag-intiendi suno sa inyo pagpamati, kag iya pa gani ini dugangan.
Kay ang tawo nga nagatipig sang iya nabatian nga kamatuoran pagahatagan pa gid sang pag-intiendi. Pero ang tawo nga wala nagatipig sang iya nabatian nga kamatuoran, bisan ang diutay nga iya naintiendihan kuhaon pa sa iya."

***

Meditation:

What does the image of light and a lamp tell us about God's kingdom? Lamps in the ancient world served a vital function, much like they do today. They enable people to see and work in the dark and to avoid stumbling. The Jews also understood "light" as an expression of the inner beauty, truth, and goodness of God. In his light we see light (Psalm 36:9). His word is a lamp that guides our steps (Psalm 119:105). God's grace not only illumines the darkness in our lives, but it also fills us with spiritual light, joy, and peace. Jesus used the image of a lamp to describe how his disciples are to live in the light of his truth and love. Just as natural light illumines the darkness and enables one to see visually, so the light of Christ shines in the hearts of believers and enables us to see the heavenly reality of God's kingdom. In fact, our mission is to be light-bearers of Christ so that others may see the truth of the gospel and be freed from the blindness of sin and deception.
Jesus remarks that nothing can remain hidden or secret. We can try to hide things from others, from ourselves, and from God. How tempting to shut our eyes from the consequences of our sinful ways and bad habits, even when we know what those consequences are. And how tempting to hide them from others and even from God. But, nonetheless, everything is known to God who sees all. There is great freedom and joy for those who live in God's light and who seek this truth. Those who listen to God and heed his voice will receive more from him. Do you know the joy and freedom of living in God's light?
"Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 4:1-20)

Nagpanudlo liwat si Jesus sa higad sang linaw. Madamo gid nga mga tawo ang nagtilipon sa iya palibot. Gani nagsakay siya sa sakayan nga nagapundo kag nagpungko siya didto. Kag ang mga tawo nagpabilin sa higad sang linaw.

Madamo nga mga butang ang iya gintudlo sa ila paagi sa mga paanggid.

Siling niya, "Magpamati kamo! May isa ka mangunguma nga nagsab-og sang binhi.

Sa iya pagsab-og, ang iban nagtupa sa higad sang dalan, kag gintuka ini sang mga pispis.

Ang iban nagtupa sa kabatuhan. Hapaw lang ang duta sini, gani madali nga nagtubo ang binhi tungod kay manabaw ang duta.

Pero nalayong ini sang nainitan sang adlaw, kag tungod nga diutay lang ang gamot, nalaya.

Ang iban nga binhi nagtupa kag nagtubo sa duta nga may mga tunukon nga hilamon, pero pagdabong sang mga hilamon nalumos ang tanom, gani wala nakapamunga.

Ang iban pa gid nga binhi nagtupa sa maayo nga duta, kag nagtubo ini kag nagpamunga. Ang iban hustuhan lang ang bunga, ang iban madamo, kag ang iban madamo gid."

Siling pa ni Jesus sa ila, "Dapat intiendihon gid ninyo ining inyo nabatian."

Pagpalauli sang mga tawo, ang dose ka apostoles kag ang iban pa gid nga nagaupod kay Jesus nagpamangkot sa iya kon ano ang kahulugan sang sadto nga paanggid.

Nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Ang mga sekreto parte sa paghari sang Dios ginasugid sa inyo sing deretso, pero sa iban, ang tanan nga butang parte sa paghari sang Dios ginasugid sa ila paagi sa mga paanggid, agod nga, Sige lang ang ila tulok pero indi sila makakita, kag sige man ang ila pamati pero indi sila makaintiendi. Kay kon makaintiendi sila, magahinulsol sila kag patawaron sila sang Dios."

Nagpamangkot dayon si Jesus sa ila, "Kon indi kamo makaintiendi sadto nga paanggid, paano ninyo maintiendihan ang iban ko pa nga mga paanggid?

Ang kahulugan sang akon paanggid amo ini: ang ginsab-og sang mangunguma wala sing iban kundi ang pulong sang Dios.

Ang higad sang dalan nga gintup-an sang binhi amo ang mga tawo nga sang pagkabati nila sang pulong sang Dios, nag-abot man dayon si Satanas kag gin-agaw niya ang pulong sa ila tagipusuon.

Ang kabatuhan nga gintup-an sang binhi amo ang mga tawo nga sang pagkabati nila sang pulong sang Dios, ginbaton nila dayon ini nga may kalipay, pero indi hugot sa ila tagipusuon. Gani wala magdugay ang ila pagtuo. Pag-abot sang kalisod ukon paghingabot tungod sa pulong sang Dios nga ila ginbaton, nagbiya sila sa ila pagtuo.

Ang duta nga may mga tunukon nga hilamon nga gintup-an sang binhi amo ang mga tawo nga nakabati sang pulong sang Dios.

Ugaling tungod sa mga palaligban sa pangabuhi kag paghimulat nga makamanggad, kag tungod sa sobra nga handom sang iban nga mga butang, nalipatan nila ang pulong sang Dios nga ila nabatian kag wala nila napuslan.

Pero ang maayo nga duta nga gintup-an sang binhi amo ang mga tawo nga nagpamati sang pulong sang Dios kag ginbaton nila sa ila tagipusuon kag napuslan gid nila. Ang iban hustuhan lang ang ila napuslan sa ila nabatian, ang iban madamo, kag ang iban madamo gid."

***

Meditation:

What does the parable about seeds and roots say to us about the kingdom of God? Any farmer will attest to the importance of good soil for supplying nutrients for growth. And how does a plant get the necessary food and water it needs except by its roots? The scriptures frequently use the image of fruit-bearing plants or trees to convey the principle of spiritual life and death. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8; see also Psalm 1:3)

Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of his word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly. There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to what he or she doesn't want to hear. Then there is the shallow hearer. He or she fails to think things out or think them through; they lack depth. They may initially respond with an emotional reaction; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else. Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important. Such a person is too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word. Then there is the one whose mind is open. Such a person is at all times willing to listen and to learn. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for his word that they may understand his will and have the strength to live according to it. Do you hunger for God's word?

"Lord Jesus, faith in your word is the way to wisdom, and to ponder your divine plan is to grow in the truth. Open my eyes to your deeds, and my ears to the sound of your call, that I may understand your will for my life and live according to it".

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 3:31-35)

Dayon nag-abot ang iloy kag ang mga utod ni Jesus. Samtang nagatindog sila didto sa guwa sang balay ginpatawag nila siya.

Madamo nga mga tawo didto ang nagapungko sa palibot ni Jesus. Siling sang mga tawo sa iya, "Ang imo iloy kag mga utod yara sa guwa kag ginapatawag ka nila."

Siling niya, "Nahibaluan bala ninyo kon sin-o ang akon iloy kag mga utod?"

Nagtulok siya sa mga tawo nga malapit sa iya nga nagapungko sa palibot niya kag nagsiling, "Amo ini sila ang akon iloy kag mga utod!

Ang bisan sin-o nga nagahimo sang kabubut-on sang Dios amo ang akon iloy kag mga utod."

***

Meditation:

Who do you love and cherish the most? God did not intend for us to be alone, but to be with others. He gives us many opportunities for developing relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Why did Jesus, on this occasion, seem to ignore his own relatives when they pressed to see him? His love and respect for his mother and his relatives was unquestionable. Jesus never lost an opportunity to teach his disciples a spiritual lesson and truth about the kingdom of God. On this occasion when many gathered to hear Jesus he pointed to another higher reality of relationships, namely our relationship with God and with those who belong to God.

What is the essence of being a Christian? It is certainly more than doctrine, precepts, and commandments. It is first and foremost a relationship – a relationship of trust, affection, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, compassion, mercy, helpfulness, encouragement, support, strength, protection, and so many other qualities that bind people together in mutual love and unity. God offers us the greatest of relationships – union of heart, mind, and spirit with himself, the very author and source of love (1 John 4:8,16). God's love never fails, never forgets, never compromises, never lies, never lets us down nor disappoints us. His love is consistent, unwavering, unconditional, and unstopable. Nothing can deter him from ever leaving us, ignoring us, or treating us unkindly. He will love us no matter what. It is his nature to love. That is why he created us – to be united with him and to share in his love and unity of persons (1 John 3:1). God is a trinity of persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and a community of love. That is why Jesus challenged his followers and even his own earthly relatives to recognize that God is the true source of all relationships. God wants all of our relationships to be rooted in his love.

Jesus is God's love incarnate – God's love made visible in human flesh (1 John 4:9-10). That is why Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep and the shepherd who seeks out the sheep who have strayed and lost their way. God is like the father who yearns for his prodigal son to return home and then throws a great party for his son when he has a change of heart and comes back (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus offered up his life on the cross for our sake, so that we could be forgiven and restored to unity and friendship with God. It is through Jesus that we become the adopted children of God – his own sons and daughters. That is why Jesus told his disciples that they would have many new friends and family relationships in his kingdom. Whoever does the will of God is a friend of God and a member of his family – his sons and daughters who have been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ.

An early Christian martyr once said that "a Christian's only relatives are the saints" – namely those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and adopted as sons and daughters of God. Those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ and who live as his disciples enter into a new family, a family of "saints" here on earth and in heaven. Jesus changes the order of relationships and shows that true kinship is not just a matter of flesh and blood. Our adoption as sons and daughters of God transforms all of our relationships and requires a new order of loyalty to God first and to his kingdom of righteousness and peace. Do you want to grow in love and friendship? Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform your heart, mind, and will to enable you to love freely and generously as he loves.

"Heavenly Father, you are the source of all true friendship and love. In all my relationships, may your love be my constant guide for choosing what is good and for rejecting what is contrary to your will."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 16:15-20)

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Lakat kamo sa bug-os nga kalibutan kag iwali ang Maayong Balita sa tanan nga mga tawo.

Ang bisan sin-o nga magtuo kag magpabautiso maluwas, pero ang indi magtuo pagasilutan.

Ini nga mga tanda makita sa mga tawo nga nagatuo sa akon: paagi sa akon gahom magatabog sila sang malaot nga mga espiritu; magahambal sila sang iban nga mga lingguahe nga wala nila matun-i; kon makauyat sila sang mga man-og ukon makainom sang bisan ano nga hilo indi sila maano; kag kon itungtong nila ang ila mga kamot sa mga nagamasakit, magaayo."

Sa tapos makahambal si Jesus sa ila, gindala siya pa-langit kag nagpungko sa tuo sang Dios.

Dayon nagwali ang iya mga sumulunod sa bisan diin nga lugar. Ginbuligan sila sang Ginoo, kag ginpamatud-an niya ang ginawali sang mga sumulunod paagi sa mga tanda nga ila ginhimo.

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Meditation:

Mark ends his gospel account with Jesus' last appearance to the apostles before his ascension into heaven. Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time. Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief. Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations. God's love and gift of salvation is not just for a few, or for a nation, but it is for the whole world – for all who will accept it. The gospel is the power of God, the power to forgive sins, to heal, to deliver from evil and oppression, and to restore life. Do you believe in the power of the gospel?

This is the great commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ and to equip it for effective ministry and mission to every land and peoples. Do you witness to others the joy of the gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

Conversion of Paul the Apostle
Many Christians celebrate today the conversion of St. Paul who became an apostle to the Gentile nations. Paul testified how he first opposed the gospel and persecuted Christians, but was converted when Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:3-16). Paul's encounter with the person of Christ radically changed his life and opened his eyes to the truth of the gospel. Benedict XVI reflects on the significance of Paul's conversion for the whole Christian people:

"Paul's conversion matured in his encounter with the Risen Christ; it was this encounter that radically changed his life. What happened to him on the road to Damascus is what Jesus asks in today's Gospel: Saul is converted because, thanks to the divine light, "he has believed in the Gospel". In this consists his and our conversion: in believing in Jesus dead and risen and in opening to the illumination of his divine grace. In that moment Saul understood that his salvation did not depend on good works fulfilled according to the law, but on the fact that Jesus died also for him the persecutor and has risen. This truth by which every Christian life is enlightened thanks to Baptism completely overturns our way of life. To be converted means, also for each one of us, to believe that Jesus "has given himself for me", dying on the Cross (cf. Galatians 2: 20) and, risen, lives with me and in me. Entrusting myself to the power of his forgiveness, letting myself be taken by his hand, I can come out of the quicksands of pride and sin, of deceit and sadness, of selfishness and of every false security, to know and live the richness of his love." (from address given on January 25, 2009)

“Lord Jesus, through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you fill us with an indomitable spirit of praise and joy which no earthly trial can subdue. Fill me with your resurrection joy and help me to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for your glory. May I witness to those around me the joy of the gospel and the reality of your resurrection.”

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 3:13-19)

Pagkatapos sadto, nagtaklad si Jesus sa bukid kag gintawag niya ang luyag niya nga pilion. Gani nagpalapit sila sa iya.

Dayon nagpili siya sang dose nga iya mangin kaupod [nga iya man gintawag nga mga apostoles] kag agod iya ipadala sa pagpangwali.

Ini nga mga tawo ginhatagan niya sing gahom agod magtabog sang malaot nga mga espiritu.

Amo ini ang dose nga iya ginpili: si Simon (nga iya ginhingalanan nga Pedro), sila ni Santiago kag ni Juan nga mga anak ni Zebedeo (ginhingalanan sila nga Boanerges nga ang buot silingon, mga anak sang daguob), si Andres, si Felipe, si Bartolome, si Mateo, si Tomas, si Santiago nga anak ni Alfeo, si Tadeo, si Simon (nga sang una rebelde sa gobyerno sang Roma), kag si Judas Iscariote nga amo ang nagluib kay Jesus.

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Meditation:

What is God's call on your life? When Jesus embarked on his mission he chose twelve men for the task of preaching the kingdom of God and healing the sick in the power of that kingdom. In the choice of the twelve, we see a characteristic feature of God's work: Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, who had no wealth or position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages. Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not shrug back because we think that we have little or nothing to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you make your life an offering to the Lord and allow him to use you as he sees fit?

"Lord Jesus, fill me with gratitude and generosity for all you have done for me. Take my life and all that I have as an offering of love for you, who are my All."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 3:7-12)

Nagkadto si Jesus kag ang iya mga sumulunod sa higad sang Linaw sang Galilea. Nagsunod sa ila ang madamo nga mga tawo nga halin sa Galilea kag sa Judea.

Madamo man ang naghalin sa Jerusalem, sa Idumea, sa tabok sang Jordan, kag sa palibot sang Tiro kag Sidon, kay nabatian nila ang iya ginpanghimo.

Tungod sa kadamuon sang mga tawo ginsilingan niya ang iya mga sumulunod nga magpreparar sang sakayan para sa iya, agod nga kon magdinaguso sa iya ang mga tawo may masakyan siya.

Tungod nga madamo ang iya ginpang-ayo, ang tanan nga may masakit nagpanagil-ot agod makatandog sa iya.

Kag kon makita siya sang mga tawo nga may malaot nga espiritu, nagaluhod sila kag nagasinggit, "Ikaw ang Anak sang Dios!"

Pero ginpaandaman gid niya ang malaot nga mga espiritu nga indi magpanugid kon sin-o siya.

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Meditation:

Is there anything holding you back from giving yourself unreservedly to God? Jesus offered freedom to everyone who sought him out. Wherever Jesus went the people came to him because they had heard all the things he did. They were hungry for God and desired healing from their afflictions. In faith they pressed upon Jesus to touch him. As they did so power came from Jesus and they were healed. Even demons trembled in the presence of Jesus and acknowledged his true identity: You are the Son of God. When you hear God's word and consider all that Jesus did, how do you respond? With doubt or with expectant faith? With skepticism or with confident expectation? Ask the Lord the increase your faith in his saving power and grace.

"Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Inflame my heart with a burning love for you and with an expectant faith in your saving power. Set me free from all that hinders me from drawing closer to you."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 3:1-6)

Sa liwat nagbalik si Jesus sa simbahan sang mga Judio kag may tawo didto nga naitos ang iya kamot.

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

Nagsiling si Jesus sa tawo nga naitos ang kamot, "Magpalapit ka diri sa atubangan."

Pagkatapos, nagpamangkot siya 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?" Pero wala gid sing may nagsabat.

Gintulok sila ni Jesus nga may kaakig, pero nasubuan man siya tungod sang katig-a sang ila balatyagon. Dayon nagsiling siya sa tawo nga naitos ang kamot, "Untaya ang imo kamot!" Gin-untay niya, kag nag-ayo ini.

Pagkatapos sadto nagguwa ang mga Pariseo kag nagpakigkita sa mga sumulunod ni Haring Herodes. Nagplano sila kon paano nila mapatay si 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.

Christians celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day, to commemorate God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ and the new work of creation he accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection. 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. Do you honor the Lord in the way you celebrate Sunday, the Lord's Day and in the way you treat you neighbor?

"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."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 2:23-28)

Sang isa ka Adlaw nga Inugpahuway, samtang nagaagi sila ni Jesus sa kaumahan sang trigo, nagapangutol ang iya mga sumulunod sang mga uhay sang trigo.

Gani nagsiling ang mga Pariseo kay Jesus, "Tan-awa ang ginahimo sang imo mga sumulunod! Ngaa ginahimo nila ang ginadilian nga himuon sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway?"

Nagsabat si Jesus sa ila, "Wala bala ninyo mabasahi sa Kasulatan ang ginhimo ni David sang siya kag ang iya mga kaupod gin-gutom kag nagkinahanglan sang pagkaon?

(Ini natabo sang si Abiatar amo ang pangulo nga pari.) Nagsulod si David sa balay sang Dios kag ginkaon niya ang tinapay nga ginhalad sa Dios. Ginpakaon man niya ang iya mga kaupod. Wala sila nakasala bisan pa ginadilian sang Kasuguan ang magkaon sadto luwas lang sa mga pari."

Kag nagsiling pa gid si Jesus, "Ginhimo ang Adlaw nga Inugpahuway para sa kaayuhan sang tawo. Wala ginhimo ang tawo para sa kaayuhan sang Adlaw nga Inugpahuway.

Gani, ako nga Anak sang Tawo may gahom sa pagsiling kon ano ang husto nga himuon sa Adlaw nga Inugpahuway."

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Meditation:

What does the commandment "keep holy the Sabbath" require of us? Or better yet, what is the primary intention behind this command? The religious leaders confronted Jesus on this issue. The "Sabbath rest" was meant to be a time to remember and celebrate God's goodness and the goodness of his work, both in creation and redemption. It was a day set apart for the praise of God, his work of creation, and his saving actions on our behalf. It was intended to bring everyday work to a halt and to provide needed rest and refreshment. Jesus' disciples are scolded by the scribes and Pharisees, not for plucking and eating corn from the fields, but for doing so on the Sabbath. In defending his disciples, Jesus argues from the scriptures that human need has precedence over ritual custom.

When David and his men were fleeing for their lives, they sought food from Ahim'elech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-6). The only bread he had was the holy bread offered in the Temple. None but the priests were allowed to eat it. In their hunger, David and his men ate of this bread. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the Sabbath was given for our benefit, to refresh and renew us in living for God. It was intended for good and not for evil. Withholding mercy and kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor. Do you honor the Lord in the way you treat your neighbor and celebrate the Lord’s Day?

"Lord Jesus, may I give you fitting honor in the way I live my life and in the way I treat my neighbor. May I honor the Lord's Day as a day holy to you. And may I always treat others with the same mercy and kindness which you have shown to me. Free me from a critical and intolerant spirit that I may always seek the good of my neighbor."