DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 29, 2007
5TH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

1 JOHN 2:3-11
Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his
commandments. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his
commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever
keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is
the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to
abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing
no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from
the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him
and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light
is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his
brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains
in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever
hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not
know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

LUKE 2:22-35
When the days were completed for their purification according to the
law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the
Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the
Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two
young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was
righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the
Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy
Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of
the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law
in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God,
saying: "Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been
fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in
the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and
the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother were
amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said
to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and
rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many
hearts may be revealed."

REFLECTION
The temple and the area surrounding it teemed with people. Jesus,
Mary and Joseph came into the temple area and immediately were lost
in the milling crowds. An ordinary poor couple with a very young
baby: nothing there really worth noticing. It seems very strange that
though every Jew was eagerly waiting and yearning for the Messiah to
come, no one, not even the religious leaders, recognized him.

No one, that is, other than the old man, Simeon, and the old widow,
Anna. God had told Simeon that he would live until his eyes beheld
the Messiah. Undoubtedly it was the Spirit who inspired Simeon to
look see God at work in it. Simeon saw in Jesus the fulfillment of
the messianic promises. He saw more besides; he recognized that
Jesus' task embraced the salvation not only of the Jewish people, but
of the whole human race.

Let us pray today that the Holy Spirit will open our eyes also, that
we might see the God-created reality that exists beneath natural
reality. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us how to look into
our daily experience and there find the task God intends for us to
fulfill not only for ourselves but for the salvation of humankind.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
... for the strength, healing and speedy recovery of:
- Damaso Guevara and Eligia Fernando
- Herminia Guiden
- Tito Reyes
- Adelino Bonoan III, Kyle Benedict Bonoan, Kurt Vincent Obando
... for the personal intentions of Lisa Kardos
... for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Rosario Dones
- Tan Beng Tong
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Thanksgiving:Pilar Tengco
- In Memoriam (+): Juanita Limqueco
... 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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