Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Thursday 14th Week in Ordinary Time
July 13, 2006
Thursday 14th Week in Ordinary Time - Yr II
HOSEA 11:1-4, 8E-9
Thus says the LORD: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I
called my son. The more I called them, the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who
taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with
human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an
infant to his cheeks; Yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did
not know that I was their healer. My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is
stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger, I will not destroy
Ephraim again; For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among
you; I will not let the flames consume you.
MATTHEW 10:7-15
Jesus said to his Apostles: "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The
Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without
cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your
belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or
walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village
you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you
leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let
your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever
will not receive you or listen to your words- go outside that house or
town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be
more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of
judgment than for that town."
REFLECTION
The commissioning of the apostles foreshadowed the great evangelical
mission of the Church as given by the risen Jesus before his return to
the Father. As baptized members of the Church, we have inherited that
mission. We should see it as an exciting challenge. Sad to say, many of
us consider it as a burden placed on our shoulders. It is a tragic
irony that we who have the fullness of the Good News do not proclaim
our faith with the same fervor and zeal as so many Protestant
denominations do.
A common problem is that we are fearful of evangelizing because we are
not as clear as we should be about the message that we should proclaim.
Jesus was very clear about the message that his disciples should
preach: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent and believe the Good
News." Our message is, in essence, the same: the kingdom of heaven has
arrived in Jesus. It is his victory over sin and death that enables us
to proclaim: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come
again."
Another difficulty is the fear of our own weaknesses. Somehow we are
able to accept that the preaching of the first disciples was blessed
with all sorts of miracles and other signs. But we have little or no
expectation that our efforts will be similarly blessed. We need to
recall that, like the apostles, we are not expected to rely on our own
meager resources. We have Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. The good
news about preaching the Gospel is that he is always present as we bear
witness in his name. His is the power of conviction, forgiveness,
reconciliation and salvation, a power so awesome that nothing can stand
against it. In his power and with his love every good thing is
possible.
Perhaps the greatest obstacle to our witnessing to Jesus is our fear
that we may attract ridicule and hostility. It is when this happens
that we can know most fully Jesus' presence in us, for he has said:
"Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all
kinds of evil against you falsely on my account."
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 and complete recovery of Ding Vidanes.
- for the special intentions of Josefina Maguigad, Mike and Joy
Maguigad, and Cesare' Garcia.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Jesus Masanque. Eternal
rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he
and all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for the speedy recovery of Mariya Ryza Tigno.
- for the speedy recovery of Chiqui Lara.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Eppy Yago
- Wedding Anniversary: Charlie & Carolyn Co Buenavista
- 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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