DAILY- HOMILY

DAILY-HOMILY

DECEMBER 23, 2005
FRIDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

MALACHI 3:1-4, 23-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the
way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD
whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the
day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like
the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. He will sit refining
and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining
them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to
the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the
LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.  Lo, I will send
you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great
and terrible day, To turn the hearts of the fathers to their
children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I
come and strike the land with doom.

LUKE 1:57-66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth
to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown
his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.  When they
came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to
call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in
reply, "No. He will be called John."  But they answered her, "There
is no one among your relatives who has this name."  So they made
signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.  He asked
for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name," and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke
blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these
matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who
heard these things took them to heart, saying, "What, then, will
this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him."

REFLECTION
Malachi was most likely the last prophet before the birth of Jesus
Christ and in today's first reading, his words foreshadow the birth
of John the Baptist, which we also read about in today's Gospel.

Many of us anticipate Christmas as a joyful time of celebration of
Jesus' birth.  We renew our thanksgiving for His willingness and
love to become truly human just like us.  But as much as we renew
our image of Jesus born like a helpless child in a manger, the words
of Malachi remind us that Jesus came not to be adored or admired but
to purify us in preparation for our salvation. 

John's birth signals the call to the people of Israel to examine
their stand with God.  It is an apt reminder for us to examine our
consciences in regard to our purity of heart with Jesus. 

PRAYER
"Lord, you are gracious and forgiving towards us.  May I ever seek
to bring you glory in all that I do and say."

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray -
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- in thanksgiving: all those who passed the recent nursing board
exams in Manila.
- for the special intentions of Ricky & Abbie.
- for the speedy recovery of Ram Ronquillo.
- for the personal intentions, forgiveness, peace, reconciliation
and harmony of Charles Conrad H.C and Cheryl P.C.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Bert Pascual.  Eternal rest
grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and
all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the continued & speedy recovery of Mike Torres.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Beatrice Lim Le Hun
- Birthday: Dianne Waverly Ng
- Birthday: Gracia A. Delfino
- Wedding Anniversary: Edwin & Minona Onal Sadsad
- In Memoriam: Vicente Cua
- for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 9:25 AM 0 comments