Friday, January 27, 2006
MEMORIAL, ST THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST & DOCTOR
JANUARY 28, 2006
MEMORIAL, ST THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST & DOCTOR
SATURDAY 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR II
2 SAMUEL 12:1-7A, 10-17
The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan
said: "Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men,
one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great
numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe
lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him
and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from
his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him. Now,
the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own
flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to
him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and made a meal of it
for his visitor." David grew very angry with that man and said to
him: "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this merits death! He
shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has
had no pity." Then Nathan said to David: "You are the man! Thus says
the LORD God of Israel: `The sword shall never depart from your
house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah
to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD: `I will bring evil upon you
out of your own house. I will take your wives while you live to see
it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your
wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I
will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun
looking down.'" Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against
the LORD." Nathan answered David: "The LORD on his part has forgiven
your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the
LORD by this deed, the child born to you must surely die." Then
Nathan returned to his house. The LORD struck the child that the
wife of Uriah had borne to David, and it became desperately ill.
David besought God for the child. He kept a fast, retiring for the
night to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth. The elders of his
house stood beside him urging him to rise from the ground; but he
would not, nor would he take food with them.
MARK 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: "Let
us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with
them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A
violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so
that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a
cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care
that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to
the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great
calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet
have faith?" They were filled with great awe and said to one
another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"
REFLECTION
In the first reading, David had sinned not only by taking Uriah's
wife but also when he purposely sent Uriah to die in battle. It
seemed apparent that David was not discerning clearly, as far as
this matter was concerned. Nathan was reminded by God to admonish
David. He started by telling David a parable of the rich man who
would take the beloved ewe of the poor man in order to feast with
his friend. David was burned with anger at Nathan for telling him
this story. But still, Nathan persisted and pointed out to David
that he had become such a person. As a result of Nathan's
persistence, David admitted that he had sinned. Nevertheless, David
had to bear the anger of God and as a result lost his son.
In our own personal lives, do we sometimes wish that a "Nathan"
would remind us what God has given us and also to help us keep away
from deliberate sin? The warning of Nathan to David regarding the
loss of his son reflects on a belief that "the succeeding
generations may suffer for whatever we have done wrong." The first
reading also reminds us: when someone corrects or criticizes us, how
do we feel? Do we get angry at once or do we discern that
criticism? How may we be better able to hear and listen to
the "Nathans" in our lives?
In today's Gospel, we read that Jesus sleeps during a fierce storm,
while the disciples cringe in fear. Perhaps Jesus reminds us today
that the faith that we need in life is not so much to keep problems
and tribulations away, but perhaps, it is to help us persevere
through the trials and adversities that we encounter in our daily
lives. It is this faith that will help us overcome these
adversities and keep us undisturbed and with peace in our hearts.
This peace is rooted in the belief that He would allow no evil to
overwhelm us. Perhaps this is the faith that He would like us to
learn; this is the faith he asks of us.
POINTS TO PONDER
Can I recall the times when the peace of Christ helped me through
the stormy times of my life? By remembering these times, am I more
confident whenever I am faced with a crisis?
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray -
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- Thanksgiving and personal intentions of Baby Jane Figuerres.
- for the speedy recovery of Mr. Socrates Tirol.
- for the continued recovery of Mike Torres.
- for the speedy recovery of Chris N.
- healings for Molly, Paula, Cindy, Jimmy, Carol and Joann.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Nick V and Helen K. Eternal
rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May
they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the peace and unity of Charles & Cheryl C
- for the speedy recovery of Rodrigo.
- for the personal intentions of Tes.
- for the safe travel of Tisha.
- for the speedy recovery of Alejandro Hernandez.
- for the healing of Eric Guevarra. May the Blessed Mother
strengthen his family and enlighten his doctors and caregivers to
give him the best care possible.
- Birthday: Evelyn Brown
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Prayer Intention: George Edwin & Mary Ann Lee
- Wedding Anniversary: Bobby & Carolyn Cheng
- In Memoriam (+): Ting Chut Ti
- In Memoriam (+): Victoria H. Chingtoco
- 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!
***************************************************************
Welcome to DAILY-HOMILY, a Catholic-based Scripture and Homily
Reflection. It is a great source for scripture reading and
Reflection for Weekdays, Sundays and Holydays of Obligation. Subscribe
to this list and you will receive a free, informed, down to earth and
illustrated homily. It's a FREE service.
***************************************************************
To subscribe or unsubscribe, tell friends about Daily-Homily, read past
reflection and feedbacks, give donation or submit a prayer request
please go to: http://homily.dailyfoodforthought.org/
Home: http://www.stjosephkingston.org/
Group Email: dailyhomily@gmail.com
To subscribe: subscribe_dh@dailyfoodforthought.org
To Unsubscribe: unsubscribe_dh@dailyfoodforthought.org
To post a Prayer Request: prayer_request@dailyfoodforthought.org
PRAYER FOR ENLIGHTENMENT BEFORE MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD:
http://www.marythequeen.org/
Feel free to forward this to your friends, family and associates!
© 2005 Daily-Homily
