Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Memorial, St. Justin, martyr
June 1, 2006
Memorial, St. Justin, martyr
Thursday 7th Week of Easter - Yr II
ACTS 22:30; 23:6-11
Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the
Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the
whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him
stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some
Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a
Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the
resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out
between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For
the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits,
while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and
some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply
argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an
angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the
commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered
his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him
into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said,
"Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in
Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome."
JOHN 17:20-26
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: "I pray not only
for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their
word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in
you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you
sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may
be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be
brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your
gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they
may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the
foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know
you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to
them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you
loved me may be in them and I in them."
REFLECTION
When John the evangelist wrote his Gospel, the Church was already
divided into factions and different groups. Today, John presents
Christ's moving prayer for unity.
Was there ever unity in the world? Too many forces pull apart families,
communities, religions and nations. Such divisions are always
destructive. The worst is when this division occurs because of
different beliefs in God. No wonder the climax of Jesus' prayer is his
urgent plea for unity among his disciples and among future Christians.
For he sees in disunity one of the greatest temptations and one of the
greatest victories of the evil one.
What is the root of disunity? Usually, it is pride, selfishness,
stubbornness, the refusal to compromise or to sit down together and
dialogue. The prayer of Jesus makes us aware of how dear the issue of
unity is to his heart. The last popes took up this issue and worked
hard to bring the different Christian groups together, especially Pope
John Paul II, who went out of his way like no other Church leader
before him to reach out to other Christian Churches and non-Christian
religions. We have seen him embracing Patriarchs of the Orthodox
Churches.
It would be good to ask ourselves today: How do I contribute to unity
in my own surroundings, my family, my community, my parish? May we
continue to do in our own little way, in our own limited environment
what Pope John Paul II did on a large scale. May the Spirit of unity
encourage us and give us the strength to be instruments of unity
wherever we are and in this way contribute our share in bringing to
fulfillment Christ's greatest desire: that all may be one.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the speedy recovery of Cadio.
- for the speedy recovery of Aida.
- for the complete healing of Elvie Lazaga
- for the special intention of Carlos and Emma.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Natividad Cuasay Diangkinay.
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 eternal repose of the soul of Nellie Tan. 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 personal intentions of Stephen.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Christine C. Jao
- Wedding Anniversary: Celso & Linda Lu
- Wedding Anniversary: Eugene & Evelyn Huang
- In Memoriam (+): Antonio Lim Sr. & Robert Uy
- for the safe travel of Kenneth Tuason
- for the birthday of Rodolfo Manguino on June 5 and for his complete
healing from stroke
- for the complete healing of Babes Co from cancer and Divinia
Inocencio from stroke
- for the Personal Intention of Zenaida I. Jocson
- for the intentions of Corrie.
- 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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