Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 18:1-5, 10)

Sa sadto nga tion nagpalapit kay Jesus ang iya mga sumulunod kag nagpamangkot, "Sin-o gid bala ang labaw sa tanan nga mga nasakop sa paghari sang Dios?"

Gintawag ni Jesus ang bata nga gamay kag ginpatindog niya sa ila tunga.

Dayon nagsiling siya, "Sa pagkamatuod, kon indi kamo magbag-o kag mangin pareho sa magagmay nga mga bata, indi gid kamo masakop sa paghari sang Dios.

Kay ang tawo nga nagapaubos pareho sa sini nga bata, amo ang labaw sa tanan nga mga nasakop sa paghari sang Dios.

"Kag ang bisan sin-o nga tungod sa iya pagsunod sa akon nagabaton sa bata nga pareho sini, nagabaton man sa akon.

"Mag-andam kamo nga indi gid ninyo pagtamayon bisan ang isa sa sining magagmay nga mga bata. Kay ang matuod, ang mga anghel sang Dios nga nagabantay sa ila yara permi sa atubangan sang akon Amay sa langit. 

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Meditation:  

Why does Jesus warn his disciples to "not despise the little ones?" God dwells with the lowly and regards them with compassion. His angels watch over them as guardians. "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). God has not left us alone in our struggle "to refuse evil and to choose good" (Isaiah 7:15). The angels are his "ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation" (Hebrews 1:14). Scripture is full of examples of how the angels serve as messengers and protectors. When Peter was chained in prison and kept under guard, an angel woke him in middle of the night, released his chains, and brought him safely out of prison, past several guards and through locked gates. When Peter realized he wasn't dreaming, he exclaimed: "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me" (Acts 12:11). When Daniel was thrown into a den of hungry lions, an angel protected him from harm. 

John Chrysostom, a 5th century church father, compared the guardian angels to the troops garrisoned in cities on the frontiers of the empire to defend it from the enemy. Basil the Great said, "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life." Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness and during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The angels will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgment (Matthew 25:31). The angels show us that this universe is not just materialistic. The fallen angels, described in Scripture as evil spirits or devils, seek our destruction (see 1 Peter 5:8). If they cannot persuade us to disown our faith and loyalty to Christ, they will attempt to divert us from doing the will of God by distracting us with good things that weigh us down or make us indifferent towards the things of God. God gives us the help of his angelic hosts and he gives us spiritual weapons, the shield of faith and the breastplate of righteousness (see Ephesians 6:1-11), to resist the devil and his lies. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we, too, join with the angelic choirs of heaven in singing the praises of God. Do you thank the Lord for his guidance and protection?

"Lord Jesus, you are our refuge and strength. May I always know your guiding hand and the help of your angels in protecting me from all that is evil. Give me strength of will and courage to refuse what is evil and to choose what is good."

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 10:13-16)

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Kaluluoy kamo nga mga taga-Corazin! Kaluluoy man kamo nga mga taga-Betsaida! Kay kon ang mga milagro nga akon ginhimo sa inyo ginhimo ko sa Tiro kag sa Sidon, dugay na kuntani sila nagbayo sang sako kag nagbutang sang abo sa ila mga ulo sa pagpakilala nga nagahinulsol sila sang ila mga sala.

Gani sa adlaw nga ang Dios magahukom, ang silot nga para sa inyo sobra pa sa silot nga para sa mga taga-Tiro kag taga-Sidon.

Kag kamo nga mga taga-Capernaum nagahunahuna nga dayawon kamo sang tanan. Pero sa impiyerno gid kamo itagbong!"

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa iya mga inugpadala, "Ang nagapamati sa inyo nagapamati man sa akon, kag ang nagasikway sa inyo nagasikway man sa akon, kag ang nagasikway sa akon nagasikway man sa nagpadala sa akon."

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Meditation: 

If Jesus were to visit your community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida? And how would you respond? Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God had for them. Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the visitation of God. They heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus upset with these communities? The word woe is also translated as alas. It is as much as an expression of sorrowful pity as it is of anger. Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference. Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change – a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction – the destruction of soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God and receiving his blessing. In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and mercy, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with faith and submission or with doubt and indifference? 

"Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission."