Friday, March 10, 2006
Saturday 1st week of Lent
March 11, 2006
Saturday 1st week of Lent - Yr II
DEUTERONOMY 26:16-19
Moses spoke to the people, saying: "This day the LORD, your God,
commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then,
to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you
are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you
are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and
decrees, and to hearken to his voice. And today the LORD is making this
agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he
promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments, he will then
raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations
he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as
he promised."
MATTHEW 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You
shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love
your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be
children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad
and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For
if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not
the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers and
sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the
same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
REFLECTION
Today's first reading emphasizes on the importance of following the
Lord's commands. It reminds us to observe them with our heart and soul,
to walk in his ways, to obey him, and to be able to feel his call to us
as his people so that we can become closer to the Lord.
One aspect that we should carefully discern is our way of giving. How
do we decide how much to give, to whom and why? What are our priorities
when we give? Are our ways of giving in accordance to God's character
and commands?
In the Gospel today, Jesus reminds us on the need to love - "Love your
neighbor." If we were present when he preached this message here on
earth, we would have been quite happy if he stopped here. But Jesus
challenges us with a new commandment - love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you - a commandment that challenges us and is most
demanding. It is easy to love your friends and hate your enemies. It's
the natural thing to do. How is it that we can love our enemies? Why
should we love them when they have hurt and offended us or our loved
ones?
Perhaps this is the Lord's way of reminding us not to continue having
grudges against others, not to hate, not to take revenge, but instead
learn to forgive those who have offended and hurt us. For it is in love
that we may regain peace of mind and peace within ourselves - thus
becoming closer to our Lord.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray -
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Amparo Filio. Eternal rest
grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and
all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the restoration of love and understanding of Charles & Cheryl C.
- for the healing and speedy recovery of Poch Robles, Armi Araujo,
and Eric Guevarra.
- for the healing of Tina M. Ocampo.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Catherine Luzuriaga
- In Memoriam (+): Jomar Ochoa
- 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!
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� 2006 Daily-Homily
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