Monday, July 10, 2006
Memorial, St. Benedict, abbot
July 11, 2006
Memorial, St. Benedict, abbot
Tuesday 14th Week in Ordinary Time - Yr II
HOSEA 8:4-7, 11-13
Thus says the LORD: They made kings in Israel, but not by my authority;
they established princes, but without my approval. With their silver
and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction. Cast
away your calf, O Samaria! my wrath is kindled against them; How long
will they be unable to attain innocence in Israel? The work of an
artisan, no god at all, Destined for the flames- such is the calf of
Samaria! When they sow the wind, they shall reap the whirlwind; The
stalk of grain that forms no ear can yield no flour; Even if it could,
strangers would swallow it. When Ephraim made many altars to expiate
sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many
ordinances, they are considered as a stranger's. Though they offer
sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with
them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they
shall return to Egypt.
MATTHEW 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon
was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said,
"Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But the Pharisees
said, "He drives out demons by the prince of demons." Jesus went around
to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and
illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for
them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but
the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out
laborers for his harvest."
REFLECTION
All of us have gone through times when we were "called" by God. These
calls may be mediated by a beggar, a needy friend, our children who
want to be close to us, lonely old people, or even the Church. The
church constantly needs people to work on its various projects.
Whatever the call, we may have decided not to answer it because maybe
we were too tired, had a tough week, or simply because we felt that we
had no time to give. Whatever reasons we may have had, let us consider
opening our hearts and minds and responding affirmatively the next time
we hear his call.
St. Benedict, whose feast we celebrate today, was a "cunning" saint.
Living in the early sixth century, he noticed the moral decay in
society and even in the existing monasteries, so he started reforming
monasteries and eventually wrote the famous Rule of St. Benedict. This
later became the norm for Western monasticism. Rather than promote
excessive self-denial among monks, Benedict envisioned a community that
balanced work and prayer (ora et labora) and sought to be a school of
holiness rather than a group of individuals competing for holiness. He
stressed interior conversion rather than external manifestations of
piety.
In the middle ages, the monasteries became models of an alternative
world ruled by the spirit of Christ. Where extreme social hierarchy
ruled, the monasteries presented an ideal of social equality. When
manual labor was derided, they affirmed the spiritual value of work.
When culture and education was disintegrating, they maintained pockets
of learning and civilization. Where violence ruled, they preached and
lived in peace. The Benedictine monasteries challenged the prevailing
values in the world, and we are called to do the same in our world.
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 continued recovery of Tito Cale.
- In thanksgiving: Fely B and family.
- for the special intentions of JR B.
- for the continued and complete recovery of Ding Vidanes.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Enrique-Jaime Y. Castillo
- Birthday: Everlyn L. Ngo
- Birthday: Annavi Guilatco
- In Memoriam (+): Macaria Co Yu (1924-1988)
- 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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