Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Wednesday 13th Week in Ordinary Time
July 5, 2006
Wednesday 13th Week in Ordinary Time - Yr II
AMOS 5:14-15, 21-24
Seek good and not evil, that you may live; Then truly will the LORD,
the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! Hate evil and love good,
and let justice prevail at the gate; Then it may be that the LORD, the
God of hosts, will have pity on the remnant of Joseph. I hate, I spurn
your feasts, says the LORD, I take no pleasure in your solemnities;
Your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed
peace offerings. Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the
melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me burnt offerings, then
let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.
MATTHEW 8:28-34
When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who
were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one
could travel by that road. They cried out, "What have you to do with
us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed
time?" Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. The demons
pleaded with him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of
swine." And he said to them, "Go then!" They came out and entered the
swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where
they drowned. The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town
they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs.
Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him
they begged him to leave their district.
REFLECTION
In today's Gospel story, our attention is focused on the healing of
people possessed by evil spirits. If we imagine ourselves to be at the
scene, we see the story unfolding with various sights and sounds that
we might have missed if we just read the passages of the Gospel without
a thorough reflection.
The more prominent meaning of the miracle Jesus performs today is one
of power. Even the demons recognize this power and plead to be cast
into the herd of pigs. When the swineherds report to the town's people
what happened to the herd of pigs, there is an outcry because they
regard the pigs as prized possessions.
Miracles are signs that invite people to open their eyes to Jesus'
works and ears to hear Jesus' words. They are signs that invite people
to be spiritually reborn to begin new lives as "new creations" in God's
kingdom. Looking at our present life-styles, do we allow Jesus to
challenge our comfortable ways of living even when they are not
pleasing before God's eyes? Now that we have been enlightened through
daily "miracles" do we still cling to our old ways?
Indeed, after being freed from worldly vices through the knowledge of
the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they still returned to those vices
and surrendered to them. And their present state has become worse than
the first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way
of holiness than, knowing it, to turn away from the sacred doctrine
that they had been taught. In their case these proverbs are relevant:
"Hardly has the pig been washed than it again wallows in the mud." (2
Peter 2:20-22)
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the continued recovery of Aida.
- for the speedy recovery of Cadio.
- for the early recovery of Deng de Leon and Elen.
- for the speedy recovery of Felicitas Simeon.
- for guidance and discernment of Nitz.
- for the speedy recovery of Ding Vidanes.
- In Thanksgiving: Bro. Nanding
- for the speedy recovery of Angelina Ramos.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Philip Go Sy
- Birthday: Pasencia Siy
- Wedding Anniversary: Arsenio & Maria Chua
- 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!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!
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� 2006 Daily-Homily
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