“Ako nga Anak sang Tawo Makita sa mga Panganod nga Nagabalik sa Kalibutan nga may Gahom nga Nagasilak”
Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Marcos 13:24-32)
“Pagkatapos sang mga kalalat-an sa sina nga mga inadlaw, ang adlaw magadulom, ang bulan indi na magsanag, kag ang mga bituon magakalahulog. Ang mga butang sa langit pagapatalangon sa ila kinaandan nga alagyan.
Dayon ako nga Anak sang Tawo makita sa mga panganod nga nagabalik sa kalibutan nga may gahom nga nagasilak.
Suguon ko ang akon mga anghel sa pagtipon sang akon mga pinili halin sa tanan nga lugar sang kalibutan.”
“Magtuon kamo sang leksyon sa kahoy nga higera. Kon ang iya mga sanga nagapanalingsing na, mahibaluan ninyo nga madali na lang ang tig-ilinit.
Sa amo man nga bagay, kon makita ninyo nga nagakalatabo na ini nga mga butang nga akon ginasugid sa inyo, mahibaluan ninyo nga madali na lang ako mag-abot.
Sa pagkamatuod, magakalatuman ini tanan nga mga butang sa wala pa mapatay ang mga tawo sa sini nga tiyempo.
Madula ang langit kag ang duta, pero ang akon mga pulong indi gid mahimo nga indi matuman.”
“Kon parte sa adlaw ukon sa oras sang akon pag-abot, wala gid sang may nakahibalo bisan ang mga anghel sa langit ukon ako nga Anak sang Dios, kundi ang Amay gid lang.
***
Meditation:
How good are you at reading signs? The people of Jesus’ time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. Jesus’ first coming was clouded in mystery and wonderment: a son of David born in a cave at Bethlehem; magi from the East guided by a star to worship the newborn king of Israel; a carpenter miracle-worker who gave sight to the blind and raised the dead; a Suffering Servant who bore the sins of many upon a cross; a Risen Lord who stormed the gates of Hell to release its captives. Jesus on a number of occasions prophesied that he would return again at the end of the world to finish the work he came to accomplish through his death and resurrection. The image of a “Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” is taken from the vision of the prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14). Daniel’s vision is a royal investiture of a human king before God’s throne. This king, whose authority comes from God, is given world-wide rulership and power which lasts forever. The Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for a Messianic king who would free them from foreign oppression. Jesus tells them that when he returns he will establish a universal kingdom of peace, righteousness, and justice for all.
Jesus’ prophetic description of the end of time and the day of judgment was not new to the people of Israel. The prophets had foretold these events many centuries before. “Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it” (Isaiah 13:9-13; see also Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18). Jesus speaks of the second coming as a known fact, a for certain event we can expect to take place. This coming will be marked by signs that all will recognize; signs which will strike terror in those unprepared and wonder in those who are ready to meet the Lord. When the Lord returns he will establish justice and righteousness and he will vindicate all who have been faithful to him. His judgment is a sign of hope for those who trust in him.
What lesson does the Lord Jesus want us to learn from the parable of the budding fig tree? The fig tree was a common and important source of food for the Jews. It bore fruit twice a year, in the autumn and in the early spring. The prophet Joel mentions its fruitbearing as a sign of favor from the Lord (Joel 2:22). The Talmud said that the first fruit came the day after Passover. The Jews believed that when the Messiah came he would usher in the kingdom of God at Passover time. This parable fortells the joy of God’s kingdom — the joy of new life and the promise of a new age of peace and blessing. The signs of spring are evident for all who can see. Just so are the signs of God’s kingdom. The “budding” of God’s kingdom begins first in the hearts of those who are receptive to God’s word. Those who trust in God’s word will bear the fruits of his kingdom. And what are the fruits of that kingdom? “The kingdom of God ..is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
We do not know the day or hour when the Lord will return again in glory. But the Lord does give us signs, not only to “wake us up” as a warning, but also to “rouse our spirits” to be ready and eager to see his kingdom come in all its power and glory. The Lord wants us to be filled with joyful anticipation for his coming again. He surely comes to us each day and speaks to our hearts like a lover who whispers in the ear of the beloved. As he promised, the Lord will surely come again in all his glory. Do you look for the signs pointing to the Lord’s return and do you pray that he come quickly to establish peace and justice on the earth?
“Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all history, and the lord of all creation. Give me joyful hope and confidence that I will see you face to face when you return in glory .”
