The sign of Jonah for an evil generation

Luke 11:29-32

When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

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Adesir kita mopanaw gikan sa bayay, tan’awon anay nato kon madag’um o matin’aw an langit para kita makapreparar kon magdaya kita o dili nan pajong kay base mo’uyan.

Madali ra kita makadesedir base sa ato obserbasyon sa ato nataran.

Pero nan nangajo nan signus an mga tawo kan Jesus, deretso Nija tagpasidan’an sila na dili sila makapaabot nan kamatuoran, kinahanglan motuo lamang sila Dija mismo na Sija an signus ni God na dili na kinahanglan nan uno pa na kamatuoran o ebidensiya gikan sa langit.

Nanaog si Jesus dinhi sa lupa para kita isalbar sa ato mga kasay’anan, isa ka kamatuoran na dili gajud molubad.

Ugsa na ipangaliya nato kan God na ipadaya Nija an Holy Spirit para nato katagamtaman an Ija pagmahal sanan para hisab’tan nato an Ija gusto para sa ato mga kinabuhi para kita makapanaw base sa mga paagi Nija para sa ato kinabuhing langitnon.

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"Lord Jesus, change my heart and fill me with your wisdom that I my love your ways. Give me grace and courage to resist temptation and stubborn wilfulness that I may truly desire to do what is pleasing to you."

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"If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you"

Matthew 6:7-15

"And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

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Nagtuo ako na an mga pulong ni God may gahum sanan makabag’o nan kinabuhi kay sumaya sa tag-sulti ni Isaiah na amo ra kuno nan uyan sanan yebe an pulong nan Diyos na makahatag nan kinabuhi, makapatambok sa tigang na lupa.

Kon ipatuhop nato sa ato pagkatawo an mga pulong ni God, sa kadugajan, maparehas ra kita Dija na magbaton nan gugma sanan kabalaanon.

Madali ra kita makasuod kan God kay naghuyat ra man Sija permi dato na mga makasasaya na anak Nija amo balitaw na tagtudluan kita ni Jesus na tawagon nato si God na Our Father.

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"Father in heaven, you have given me a mind to know you, a will to serve you, and a heart to love you. Give me today the grace and strength to embrace your holy will and fill my heart and mind with your truth and love that all my intentions and actions may be pleasing to you. Help me to be kind and forgiving towards my neighbor as you have been towards me."

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“As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me”

Matthew 25:31-46

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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Simple ra rakajaw an kinahanglan ni Jesus na basehan Nija pag-abot nan panahon nan Paghukom – dili kon nakabase sa talento sanan abilidad, kabantugan sanan kaadunahan, popularidad sanan kalampusan, kondili, kon uno an ato nahimo sa ato isig’katawo, uno kalayum an ato nahitabang sa mga nanginahanglan nan tabang.

An tabang na tagpaabot dato an mga esensiyal na kinahang’lan nan tawo: pagkaon, beste sanan kahuy’an.

Pero sin’o man an mga benepisyaryo na kinahanglan na makadawat nan ato tabang?

An laong Jesus, mga priso, makilimos, ordinaryo na mga tawo na permi nato ig’kahibalag sa adlaw-adlaw nato na kinabuhi.

Dili na kinahanglan hanapon pa nato sila, permi nato sila hikit’an sanan igkasandurot kada adlaw.

Ugsa na an pasalig ni Jesus dato na kon himoon nato an pagtabang sa mga gag’may na igsoon nato, amo ‘sab ini ant ato taghimo Dija, Sija na an bahala dato.

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"Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and King and there is no other. May your love rule in my heart that I may think and act with charity towards all.”

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"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"

Luke 5:27-32

After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he left everything, and rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

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Nahibuyong an mga religious leader kon uno man na intawag man ni Jesus an isa ka bini’ay-bi’ay na tax collector, si Levi na nahimo na na Mathew, na himoon Nija na isa ka disciple.

Nan taglang’an ni Jesus an mga Pharisee na dili kinahanglan nan doktor an wawa’y sakit kondili, an mga may sakit ra, mas hilabi na naghinagasay sila nan panlibak sa Teacher.

Si Jesus, tinood na mananambay, motambay gajud Sija nan tibook lawas nan tawo na may sakit – sakit sa kalawasan, sakit sa panhuna-huna sanan sakit sa espiritu, kay divine physician man Sija.

Kita, isumite kaha nato an ato kaugalingon, an ato pagka-masakiton kan Jesus para kita Nija tambajon sa ato ato mga kasay’anan?

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"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself."

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Fasting for the kingdom of God

Matthew 9:14-15

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

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An pag-puasa, dili lamang kuno kon an ato pagpugong na mokaon o abstinensiya sa karne.

An tinood kuno na puasa jaon paglikay sa mga bisyo nan kalibutanon na lawas – pamakak, pangawat, pagsulti nan mga bastos, pag-isip nan mayaot sa isigka’tawo, panghilawas sanan tanan mga kasay’anan.

Marajaw seguro kon sug’dan na nato kuman pagpasaylo an ato isigka’tawo na nakasaya dato sanan mangajo ‘sab kita nan pasaylo sa mga tawo na ato nadihado.

Gusto ba nato na makilaya si God, molambo sa Ija kabalaanon sanan maghuya na puno nan mga grasya na Ija ihatag dato?

Ini na mga pangutana an amo’y magresulta nan tinood nato na pangalimbasog na magpagpuasa.

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"Come Lord, work upon us, set us on fire and clasp us close, be fragrant to us, draw us to your loveliness, let us love, let us run to you."

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"Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it"

Luke 9:22-25

"The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

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Uno man na an gusto mahitabo ni Jesus, kon mosunod kuno kita Dija, hikawan man kuno nato an ato kaugalingon, magpas’an kita nan ato kUGlingon n krus kada adlaw sanan mosunod Dija?

‘Katapos, kon sin’o kuno an mag-amping nan ija kinabuhi, mawaya ra ini dija sanan kon sin’o an kawad’an nan kinabuhi tungod kan Christ, masalbar nija ini.

Uno man kuno’y maani nan tawo kon mapanag’ija nija an tibook kalibutan pero kawad’an sija nan ija kaugalingon kinabuhi?

Ini na mga panultihon ni Jesus, kinahanglan amo’y ato sumbanan para kita makahimo nan desisyon na sa ato mga kinabuhi, ato gajud unahon permi an mga kagustuhan sanan mga kinahanglan gikan dato ni God.

Nagsaksipisyo si Jesus nadto sa kamatajon masalbar lamang kita sa ato mga kasay’anan, ugsa na kinahanglan ihatag ‘sab nato an ato kinabuhi kan God para sa Ija kahimayaan.

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"Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do. I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me, your Father, and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me."

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"When you pray, fast, and give alms"

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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Sa mga tudlo ni Jesus sa Ija mga disipulo, pangaliya, pag-puasa sanan paghatag nan limos an Ija inhatagan gajud nan importansiya kay sa mga Jew, amo man kuno ini an tuyo ka mga buluhaton nan relehiyuso na kunabuhi.

Pero kon himuon nato ini’n tuyo ka aksiyon kuman, uno man kaha’y ato motibo, para ba hikit’an kita sanan mapansin nan mga tawo parehas nan mga Pharisee sa panahon ni Jesus o para nato mahipa-kita kan God an tinood nato na debosyon nan ato pagmahal Dija.

An ekspresyon nato nan ato pagmahal kan Lord dili kinahanglan na ipasi'atab pa sa kataw’han para kasaksihan nila an suyod nan ato mga kasing-kasing kondili, himoon nato ini kay amo’y tag-udyok ini nan ato pagkatawo agi’g hatag nan kahimayaan kan God.

Sa pagsugod nan cuaresma kuman na adlaw, marajaw seguro na sug’dan nato an ato pagsunod sa mga kagustuhan ni God para dato, sa tabang nan Holy Spirit, pinaagi sa ato pagpangaliya, pag-puasa sanan paglimos - pagpadayag nato nan ato gugma sa ato isig’katawo, ekspresyon nan ato magmahal kan Lord.

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"Lord Jesus, give me a lively faith, a firm hope, a fervent charity, and a great love of you. Take from me all lukewarmness in the meditation of your word, and dullness in prayer. Give me fervor and delight in thinking of you and your grace, and fill me with compassion for others, especially those in need, that I may respond with generosity."

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"They had discussed with one another who was the greatest"

Mark 9:30-37

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him. And they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

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Vesperas kuman nan Miyerkules nan Abo, an sinugdan nan cuaresma .

Pero sa iban na mga nasod, adlaw kuman nan ila pag-selebrar nan jaon taglaong na Mardi Gras, piyesta para sa paghatag nan luna sa mga tawo na patujangan an gusto nan ila mga lawas: patujang pagkaon nan mga malami na pagkaon, pag-inom nan duro na alak, paghimo nan sekswal na mga butang sanan paghimo nan mga suk’wahi sa sugo ni God.

Piyesta ini nan mga pagano, pero dili man kita kon mga pagano kay hugot man ato pagtuo sa Diyos.

Sa ato pamalandong kuman, bata an taghimo ni Jesus na ehemplo para ipakita an importansiya nan pagka-mapahi’ubsanon para madawat nan tawo an grasya na kinabuhi sanan himaya ni God.

Gusto ni God na pun’on kita nan Ija kaugalingon na himaya, gahum sanan gugma kon ato abrihan an ato mga kasing-kasing para hatagan nan luna an Ija ihatag dato.

Mapahiub’sanon ba kita na modawat nan mga sugo ni God para maka-panil’bihan Dija parehas kan Jesus?

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"Lord Jesus, by your cross you have redeemed the world and revealed your glory and triumph over sin and death. May I never fail to see your glory and victory in the cross. Help me to conform my life to your will and to follow in your way of holiness."

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"Walk and sin no more"

John 5:1-16

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, `Take up your pallet, and walk.'" They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, `Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath.

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Gusto ni God na makalingkawas kita tanan sa gahum nan kasay’anan, pero dili Sija mamugos sa tawo kon dili ini modawat nan Ija hatag.

An pinaka-una na himoon nan tawo para sija molambo sanan madajaw, kinahanglan may kagustuhan sija na magbag’o kay abir kon uno na mga pagpugos para sija magbalhin, kon waya’y ija tinguha, amo ra gihapon sija.

Amo na kon gusto gajud nato na magbag’o, na makalingkawas kita sa kusog nan kasay’anan sanan magbalhin nadto sa pagka-maligdong, kinahanglan ipangaliya nato na Ija kita hatagan nan kusog na madawat an Ija grasya pinaagi sa Holy Spirit na amo’y motabang dato sa ato mga paningkamot.

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“Lord Jesus, put within my heart a burning desire to be changed and transformed in your holiness. Let your Holy Spirit change my heart and renew me in your love and righteousness."

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"We never saw anything like this!"

Mark 2:1-12

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take up your pallet and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

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Hugot karajaw an pagtuo nan upat ka mga amigo nan paralitiko o bakol na matambay gajud ni Jesus ini’n ila tagpas’an na maysakit.

Imposible unta sila makasuyod sa kuwarto kon diin nagtudlo si Lord kay puno man nan nag-punsisok na mga tawo an bayay.

Pero taghanapan gajud nila nan medyos o paagi na makasuyod an ila pas’an-pas’an na masakiton kay lagi, hugot man gajud an ila pagtuo na madajaw ni Jesus an ija paralisis.

Tu’od man, natambay gajud an paralitiko – taghipos nija an ija taghigdaan sanan nopanaw na daya an pasidaan ni Jesus na dili ipanabi an nahitabo dija – tungod kay hugot man gajud karajaw an pagtuo nan upat ka mga amigo nija na matambay sija.

Kita, hugot ba ‘sab an ato pagtuo na si Jesus na ato Lord ra gajud an dayan pasingod nadto sa langit’non na kinabuhi?

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"Lord Jesus, through your merciful love and forgiveness you bring healing and restoration to body, soul, and mind. May your healing power and love touch every area of my life – my innermost thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and memories. Pardon my offenses and transform me in the power of your Holy Spirit that I may walk confidently in your truth and righteousness."

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"This is my beloved Son; listen to him"

Mark 9:2-13

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" And he said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."

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Eksayted kita na hikit’an nato an himaya ni God, pero hadlok kita na kahaon kita ni Lord nan ini na mga taknaa.

An punto nako dinhi na an himaya ni God na hingkit’an nila Peter, James sanan John sa transfiguration (waya’y translation sa hinabunganon an ako kahuna-hunaan para sa transfiguration) ni Jesus, isa ka hitabo na waya ipakita Nija sa bisan sin’o rakan.

Ingka-saksihan nila an transfiguration nan pagmata na nila gikan sa pagkatuyog nan ingkadiskubrihan nila ang kahimayaan ni Jesus kaiban si Moses sanan Elijah.

Duro ‘sab an ato nahipalabay na mga kahimayaan ni God kay tuyog kita sa ato mga espiritwal na kinabuhi, tuyog kay mahamok an ato mga taghuna-huna na mga kalibutanon na problema.

Gusto ni God na ipakita gajud dato tanan an Ija glorya o an Ija himaya kay kita tanan mga disipulo man Nija, mga minahal Nija na anak.

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“Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory.”

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"Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it"

Mark 8:34 - 9:1

And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."

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Uno ma’y pinaka-hinung’dan nan pagka-panganak sanan uno man an pinaka-importante na puhunan nan tawo dinhi sa kalibutan?

Ini an pangtana na marajaw seguro hisgutan nato kuman.

An hinungdan nan ato kapanganakan -- para nato mahibalik ra ‘sab kan God an ato utang na kinabuhi kay pinabuyos ra man Nija dato ini.

Amo na kinahanglan mamuhunan kita nan pagka-maligdong, matarong sanan malimpiyo na kinabuhi dinhi sa kalibutan para angajan kita na moatubang kan God pag-abot nan panahon.

Nangutana si Jesus kon uno ma’y ikahatag nan tawo agi’g bajad (nija kan God) para sa ija nadawat na gasa, an kinabuhi.

Kon kabajaran an hisgutan, dili ni God kinahanglan an ato kuwarta, kapasidad, abilidad o uno pa man na ato ibajad Dija -- Sija na Tag-ija sanan Tagamugna nan tanan sa kalibutan.

Kuman, uno ma’y angajan na ibalik nato kan God?

An ato pagka-masun’danon sa Ija mga balaod sanan an ato pag-gajang nan ato tibook kinabuhi para sa Ija kahimayaan amo ra'y gajud ato mahibajad Dija.

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"Lord Jesus Christ, I want to follow you as your disciple. I gladly offer all that I have to you. Take and use my life as a pleasing sacrifice of praise to your glory."

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"But who do you say that I am?"

Mark 8:27-33

And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?" And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." And he charged them to tell no one about him. And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men."

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Kon pangutan’on kita kuman kon sin’o si Jesus para dato, amo ra ‘sab seguro kita gihapon kan Peter na madali ra kita makatubag na Sija an Christ, Messiah of the Living God.

Pero parehas ra ‘sab gihapon seguro kita kan Peter na kon sultihan ni Jesus nan kamatuoran na magsagubang Sija nan pag-antos, na dili Sija dawaton nan mga chief priest sanan mga scribe, na pat’jon Sija, na pagkatapos, pag-abot nan tuyo ka adlaw mabanhaw Sija, dili kita 'sab motuo kan Christ parehas kan Peter.

Usahay dili ‘sab kita makatuo na sa ato mga kinabuhi, may mga pag-antos sanan mga pasakit ’sab kita na isugakod, mga problema na parte nan ato mga kinabuhi para segurado na motawag kita sanan mosangpit kan God, hinungdan na mapasuod kita Dija.

Amo na kinahanglan 'sab na ipangaliya nato kan Jesus na tabangan kita Nija na mamahimo kita na mga tinood na tagasunod Nija sa Ija mga kasuguan.

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"Lord Jesus, I profess and believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are my Lord and my Savior. Make my faith strong and help me to live in the victory of the cross by rejecting sin and by accepting your will."

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"The blind man looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clear"

Mark 8:22-26

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man, and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men; but they look like trees, walking." Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and saw everything clearly. And he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even enter the village."

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Kon waya sija iakay nan ija mga higaya, dili gajud igkahibalag nan buta an tawo na makapabalik nan ija panan’aw.

Sa pagtambay ‘sab ni Jesus sa buta, indaya ini Nija sa lugar na dili kaobserbahan nan mga amuyong sanan mga tawo na nagduha-duha pagtuo Dija.

Matuod man, nakakita na pagdajaw an buta pagkatapos tambaja ni Jesus.

Pero uno man kaha na tagpa-deretso man ni Jesus an tawo pagpauli sa ila bayay pagkatapos Nija mahipabalik an panan’aw nan ini na tawo?

Sa tan’aw nako, Ija tagpa-deresto pagpauli dajon an tawo sa ila para dili na ini makasandurot nan mga tawo na may mga madugyom an espiritwal na mga kunabuhi.

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"Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the revelation of your healing presence and saving word. Help me to walk according to your truth and to not stumble in the darkness of sin. May I help others find your healing light and saving presence."

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"Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod"

Mark 8:14-21

Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"

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Pagkatapos pagpakaon ni Jesus sa panon nan mga tawo, ini na ‘sab an isa ka sitwasyon na nangabiro na ‘sab an mga disipulo kay waya na’y ila probisyon sanan pagkaon samtang nagatabok sila sa Sea of Galilee.

Tayming ‘sab an sitwasyon para kapasidan’an ni Jesus an Ija mga disipulo nan mahitungod sa lebadora nan mga Pharisee sanan ni Herod.

An lebadora o pampaalsa sa harena para sa mga Jew, isa ka simbolo nan evil o kasay’anan ugsa na tagpasidan’an sila ni Jesus para dili sila ka-impluwensiyahan nan mga kasay’anan nan mga Pharisee sanan ni Herod.

Madali ra karajaw an tawo malumos nan mga problema sanan mga panginahang’lan kada adlaw ugsa na hikalim’tan na usahay nija an pinaka-importante na kamatuoran nan tanan, na si God, permanente an Ija presensiya sa ato mga kinabuhi sanan an Ija waya’y katapusan na probisyon, madali ra nato pangajuon Dija.

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"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."

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"No sign shall be given to this generation"

Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

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Gusto gajud nan mga Pharisee na mangajo nan signus gikan sa kahitas’an pinaagi kan Jesus para ipamatuod na an Ija pagka-Messiah dili kon bakak ra.

Sa panahon ni Jesus, duro an mga nagpamao-mao na mga messiah kuno sila para sila makadani nan mga sumusunod na mga disipulo.

Nahibayo na daan si Jesus na interesado an mga religious leader dili kon sa mga pulong ni God kodili para sila makatestigo nan mga kahibuyungan na panhitabo o mga signus.

Sa adlaw-adlaw nato na kinabuhi, testigo kita nan mga milagro ni Jesus sanan sa Ija presensiya pinaagi sa Eucharist na ato permi atendihan.

An importante dinhi, may pasalig si Jesus dato tanan nan Ija adlaw-adlaw na presensiya sa ato mga kinabuhi, pasalig na dili kita Nija iabandona hangtud sa katapusan nan ato kinabuhi na kalibutanon.

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"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."

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"People came to Jesus from every quarter"

Mark 1:40-45

And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, and said to him, "See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to the people." But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.

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An makapugong sa tawo usahay para mosuod kan Jesus, an ija kahadlok, garbo, pagduha-duha sanan an peligro na kawad’an o hisip’gan sija sa ija mga higaya.

Pero waya pa’y nosuod na nangajo nan pabor kan Jesus na Ija tagbalibaran segun sa mga nahisuyat sa Bible.

Bisan pa gani an mga tawo na dili angay na hikapon Nija parehas nan inin ato karakter dinhi sa Gospel na may kitong, Ija paman gani inhikap.

Kompiyansa karajaw an leper sanan mapahi’ubsanon sija na nagajo nan tabang kan Jesus kay segurado man sija na tabangan sija ni Lord.

Tuod man, natagamtam gajud nija an ija taninguha sanan gusto kay inahatag man dija ni Jesus an hingpit na pisikal sanan espiritwal na pagkadajaw.

Sa ato parte, mahimo kaha nato na makig-lambigit sa mga tawo na sa tan’aw nan katilingban, dili angajan na suoran?

Ipangaliya nato kan God na hatagan Nija kita nan takos na kusog para mahipakita nato an paghigugma sanan kalooy nato sa ato mga igsoon na nanginahanglanan nan ato pag-amuma.

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“Lord Jesus Christ, may the power of your love, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love."

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