Living WORD

Points for Reflection: I am sharing to my dear readers a story which has been a part of my collections to help you reflect as the Universal Church celebrates the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Times – A.

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Author Geraldine Marshall says that one of her fondest childhood memories of a birthday

is not one of her own birthdays but one of her father’s.

On one of those days, her father gave her a beautiful stuffed tiger. Geraldine was. bubbling over with joy.

Finally, after she calmed down, Geraldine said to her father:

“But Daddy, it’s your birthday, not mine. I’m supposed to give you a birthday present!

Why are you giving me one?”

Her father took her in his arms and said:

“Sweetheart, you have given me a birthday present- the most beautiful present

a daughter could ever give her father. It’s seeing the happiness that my gift has brought to you.”

Geraldine still has that stuffed tiger. But, she says, the greatest gift her father gave her that day was not the stuffed tiger but an insight into the joy of giving.

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A wealthy businessman in a mid-western town had signs printed and placed all over the town. They stated that if any man in the town who owed debts, would come to his office on a certain day between nine and twelve in the morning, he would pay the debts.

Naturally, that promise was the talk of the town. Very few believed it. They thought there was a catch somewhere.

The day came; the businessman sat in his office at nine. By ten, no one had come. At eleven a man was seen walking up and down outside, glancing occasionally at the office door. Finally, he opened it, put his head in, and asked, “Is it true that you will pay any man’s debt?”

“That’s right,” the rich man replied. “Are you in debt?”

“I certainly am,” the caller answered.

“Do you have along the bills or statements to prove it?”

The visitor produced the documents and the businessman wrote out a cheque covering all of them. Before twelve o’clock two other

men came, and also had their debts paid.

People outside could not believe it. . . . but there was no time left for them to have their bills paid.

– If people don’t believe the goodness of man; how can they believe in the goodness of God? (Tonne, FAITH)

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Two men set out on a journey together. They took a donkey to carry their packs, a torch to light their way at night, and a rooster, who was a friend of the donkey. The rooster sat on the donkey’s head during the entire journey.

One of the men was deeply religious; the second was a skeptic. On the journey they frequently spoke about the Lord. “In all things God is good,” said the first companion.

“We will see if your opinion bears out on the trip,” said the second.

Shortly before dusk, the two men arrived in a small village where they sought a place to sleep. Despite their frequent requests, no one offered them a night’s lodging. Reluctantly, they traveled a mile outside of town, where they decided to sleep.

“I thought you said God is good,” the skeptic said sarcastically.

“God has decided this is the best place for us to sleep tonight,” replied his friend.

They fixed their beds beneath a large tree, just off the main road that led to the village, tethering the donkey about 30 yards away. Just as they were about to light the torch, they heard a horrible noise. A lion had killed the donkey and carried it off to eat it, away from the two men. Quickly the companion climbed the tree to stay away from danger. “You still say God is good?” the skeptic asked with anger.

“If the lion had not eaten the donkey, he would have attacked us. God is good,” his companion declared. Moments later a cry from the rooster sent them further up the tree. From this new vantage point they saw a wildcat carrying the cock away in his teeth.

Before the skeptic could say a word, the man of faith declared, ‘The cry of the rooster has once again saved us. God is good.” A few minutes later a strong wind arose and blew out the torch, the only comfort of the men in the black night. Again the skeptic taunted his companion. “It appears that the goodness of God is working overtime this evening,” he said. This time the believer was silent

The next morning. the two men walked back into the village for food. They soon discovered that a large band of outlaws had swept into the town the previous night and robbed the entire village of all its possessions.

With this news the man of faith turned to his friend. “Finally it has become clear,” he cried. “Had we been given a room in the village last night, we would have been robbed along with all of the villagers. If the wind had not blown out our torch, the bandits who traveled the road near the place where we slept, would have discovered us and taken all our goods. It is clear, that in all things, God is good.” (A Jewish Folktale, , GOD IS GOOD)

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A letter written in childish scrawl came to the post office addressed to “God.” A postal employee, not knowing what to do, opened it and read: “Dear God, My name is Tommy. I am 6 years old. My father is dead and my mother is having a hard time raising us six kids. Can you send us $300?”

The postal worker was very moved. He showed _ the letter to his fellow workers and they all decided to take up a collection. They

raised $100, and sent it to the family.

A few weeks later, they received a second letter, which read: “Next time would you please send the money directly to our house?

If it goes through the post office, they keep $200.” (SERVICE CHARGE, Quote)

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Once upon a time in the kingdom of fairyland there lived a large section of people who seems to have little going for them. They are the youngest sons, the natural late-comers in life, who arrive too late to inherit the property, who never have the first choice of anything, who are the last to inherit the genes. They are always compared to their discredit with their elder brothers, who are smarter, harder working, preferred by their parents, acknowledged by their peers, and who always look more likely to marry the princess and inherit the kingdom.

Yet at the heart of these stories there is the wisdom of reversal: the youngest son, the last to arrive and the most unlikely winner of anything, marries the princess and inherit the kingdom. This is never because of his own ingenuity or heavy work schedule; it is not because of any self-improvement course he has to undergone; rather, it is because of the graciousness and generosity of others. (Dennis McBride, C.SS.R.)

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A youngster was visiting a young patient in a hospital. They talked about the routine at the Catholic hospital. “Why are some of the nuns wearing white and others wearing black?” the visiting boy asked.

“Well,” came the reply, “the ones in white give you your medicine and the ones in black pray for you when the medicine doesn’t work.” (Christian Family, NUNS IN HOSPITALS)

Ang Tawag

Ni Padre Jose “joesum” Sumampong, Jr.

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Ika-25 nga Domingo sa Tuig (A)

Septiyembre 20, 2020

EBANGHELYO (Mateo 20:1-16)

Si Jesus misugilon sa iyang mga tinun-an niining sambingaya: ¹“Ang Gingharian sa langit sama sa tag-iya sa usa ka parasan nga sayo sa buntag milakaw aron pagpangitag mga tawo nga iyang patrabahoon. ²Miuyon siya paghatag kanila sa naandang suhol nga usa ka denario ang adlaw, ug gipadala sila ngadto sa iyang parasan. ³Sa pagka­alas nuybe, miadto na usab siya sa merkado ug didto nakita niya ang pipila ka tawo nga nagtindog nga walay buhat, ⁴busa miingon siya kanila, ‘trabaho usab kamo sa akong parasan, ug hatagan ko kamog hustong suhol’ ⁵Ug nangadto sila. Unya sa pagka-alas dose ug sa pagka­alas tres mao gihapon ang iyang gihimo. ⁶Hapit na kadto mo-alas singko nga miadto siya sa merkado ug didto nakakita siyag laing pipila ka tawo nga walay buhat. Siya nangutana kanila, ‘Nganong giusikan man ninyo ang tibuok adlaw?’ ⁷Sila nanubag, ‘Kay wala may mipatrabaho kanamo.’ Ug miingon siya kanila, ‘Kon mao kana, trabaho usab kamo didto sa akong parasan.’⁸Sa pagkasawomsom na, ang tag-iya miingon sa iyang kapatas, ‘Tawga ang mga mamumoo ug hatagi sila sa ilang suhol; unaha pagsuhol kadtong ulahing gipatrabaho ug ipaulahi kadtong unang gipatrabaho.’⁹Ang mga tawo nga misugod pagtrabaho sa alas singko sa hapon, gisuholan og usa ka denario ang matag usa kanila. ¹⁰Busa sa pagduol na sa mga tawo nga unang gipatrabaho, nagtuo sila nga labaw pa ang ilang madawat; apan ang usag-usa kanila gihatagan usab og tagsa ka denario. ¹¹Gidawat nila ang ilang suhol ug nagbagutbot sila batok sa agalon. ¹²Miingon sila, ‘Kining mga tawhana nga ulahi mong gipatrabaho nagtrabaho lamang sulod sa usa ka oras, samtang kami nagtrabaho sa tibuok adlaw ug napagba sa kainit. Apan bisan pa niini imo silang gihatagag samang suhol nga imong gihatag kanamo.’ ¹³Ang agalon mitubag sa usa kanila, ‘Migo, pamati. Wala ako maglimbong kanimo, kay miuyon ka man sa suhol nga usa ka denario ang adlaw. ¹⁴Karon, dawata ang imong suhol ug pauli sa inyo. Maoy akong gusto nga kining tawhana nga ulahing gipatrabaho hatagan sa samang suhol nga akong gihatag kanimo. ¹⁵Wala ba diay akoy katungod sa paggamit sa akong kuwarta sumala sa akong gusto? O nasina ka ba hinoon kay ako manggihatagon man?”’ ¹⁶Ug gitapos ui Jesus ang sambingay sa pag-ingon, “Busa kadtong naulahi mahiuna, ug kadtong nahiuna maulahi.” Ang Ebanghelyo sa Ginoo.

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KAHULOGAN SA EBANGHELYO (Mateo 20:1-16)

¹“Ang Gingharian sa langit sama sa tag-iya sa usa ka parasan nga sayo sa buntag milakaw aron pagpangitag mga tawo nga iyang patrabahoon.

Sayo pa sa buntag, aduna nay mga tawo nga naghulat og trabaho. Usa ka panghitabo nga hangtod sa atong panahon karon anaa pa.

²Miuyon siya paghatag kanila sa naandang suhol nga usa ka denario ang adlaw… ³Sa pagka­alas nuybe… didto nakita niya ang pipila ka tawo nga nagtindog.. ⁴busa miingon siya kanila, ‘trabaho usab kamo sa akong parasan… ⁵Ug nangadto sila. Unya sa pagka-alas dose ug sa pagka­alas tres mao gihapon ang iyang gihimo. ⁶… mo-alas singko nga miadto siya sa merkado ug didto nakakita siyag laing pipila ka tawo… Siya nangutana kanila, ‘Nganong giusikan man ninyo ang tibuok adlaw?’ ⁷Sila nanubag, ‘Kay wala may mipatrabaho kanamo.’ Ug miingon siya kanila, ‘… trabaho usab kamo didto sa akong parasan.’

Dili kini ordinaryo nga tag-iyag parasan kay gani bisan sa katapusang takna aduna siyay talagsaong kabalaka niadtong wala pay trabaho. Sulod sa tibuok adlaw, gikan sa buntag ngadto sa hapon, makalima nga siya midapit og mga motrabaho. Nagpakita siya sa iyang panghunahuna kabahin sa kamahinungdanon sa trabaho og suhol aron kahatagan og dignidad ang tawo. Ang “Gingharian sa Langit” maoy dapit sa kaluoy sa Dios.

⁸Sa pagkasawomsom na, ang tag-iya miingon sa iyang kapatas, ‘Tawga ang mga mamumoo ug hatagi sila sa ilang suhol; unaha pagsuhol kadtong ulahing gipatrabaho ug ipaulahi kadtong unang gipatrabaho.’

Dinhi nakita nato ang katuyoan sa tag-iya sa parasan: nga ang tanan makakita kon unsay iyang buhaton—diha sa pagsuhol una sa naulahi. Ngano kaha? Mahimo man unta nga iyang suholan og una ang mga nag-unag trabaho ug unya iyang palakton.

⁹Ang mga tawo nga misugod pagtrabaho sa alas singko sa hapon, gisuholan og usa ka denario ang matag usa kanila. ¹⁰Busa sa pagduol na sa mga tawo nga unang gipatrabaho, nagtuo sila nga labaw pa ang ilang madawat; apan ang usag-usa kanila gihatagan usab og tagsa ka denario. ¹²Gidawat nila ang ilang suhol ug nagbagutbot sila batok sa agalon…

“Nagbagutbot”. Susama kini sa gihimo sa mga Israelitas nga nagbagutbot didto sa deserto (Exodus 16:9 ug Salmo 106:25). Hulagway usab kini kanato sa mga panahon nga adunay mga pagsulay.

Ang Ginoo wala gayoy paborito. Alang sa mga naulahi susama ra ang iyang pagtagad ngadto sa mga nahiuna.

¹³Ang agalon mitubag sa usa kanila, ‘Migo, pamati. Wala ako maglimbong kanimo, kay miuyon ka man sa suhol nga usa ka denario ang adlaw. ¹⁴Karon, dawata ang imong suhol ug pauli sa inyo. Maoy akong gusto nga kining tawhana nga ulahing gipatrabaho hatagan sa samang suhol nga akong gihatag kanimo. ¹⁵Wala ba diay akoy katungod sa paggamit sa akong kuwarta sumala sa akong gusto? O nasina ka ba hinoon kay ako manggihatagon man?”’

Dili kini mao ang higayon nga kita makakat-on og pagtulun-an mahitungod sa kaangayan o social justice. Dinhi hinoon matugkad nato ang usa ka pagtulun-an sa teolohiya kabahin sa misteryosong buhat sa Dios. Ania ang larawan nga iyang gipadayag kanato mahitungod sa iyang Amahan:

Usa ka Ginoo nga nahigugma sa tanan, labi na sa mga sinalikway. Bisan sila—kadtong walay mipatrabaho—iyang gidapit gihapon ngadto sa iyang parasan.

Usa ka Ginoo nga walay tihiktihik sa iyang pag-apod-apod sa iyang panalangin. Bisan gani kadto naulahi sa pagtrabaho iya mang gihatagan sa saktong suhol sumala sa iyang gisaad. Siya nagdapit sa tanang tawo, sa bisan unsang orasa, sa bisan unsang situwasyon.

Usa ka Ginoo nga wala magtan-aw sa unsay angay kanato lamang. Siya mohatag kanato labaw pa kay sa unsay angayan kanato.

Usa ka Ginoo nga dili motugot nga adunay mga tawo nga maningil sa mga personal nga pribihiliyo o katungod ug tungod sa maong pribihiliyo nga ilang gituohan nga ila ra, sila usab mohikaw niini sa uban.

Kay dili ba wala na man untay kalainan ang matag usa kanato kon misagop na kita ni Cristo (basaha sa Roma 3:22-31)?

¹⁶Ug gitapos ui Jesus ang sambingay sa pag-ingon, “Busa kadtong naulahi mahiuna, ug kadtong nahiuna maulahi.”

Si Papa Juan Paulo II miingon, “Ang kaluoy maoy usa ka espesyal nga gahum sa gugma nga mas gamhanan pa kay sa sala ug mga buhat sa pagbudhi. Ang kaluoy mas molabaw pa kay sa balaanong kaangayan.”