DAILY- HOMILY

August 18, 2007
Saturday 19th Week in Ordinary Time - Year I

JOSHUA 24:14-29
Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and
addressed them, saying: "Fear the LORD and serve him completely and
sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and
in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it does not please you to serve the
LORD, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served
beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are
dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." But the
people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the
service of other gods. For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us
and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of
slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and
protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples
through whom we passed. At our approach the LORD drove out all the
peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we
also will serve the LORD, for he is our God." Joshua in turn said to
the people, "You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy
God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or
your sins. If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the
LORD and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you."
But the people answered Joshua, "We will still serve the LORD." Joshua
therefore said to the people, "You are your own witnesses that you
have chosen to serve the LORD." They replied, "We are, indeed!" Joshua
continued: "Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among
you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel." Then the
people promised Joshua, "We will serve the LORD, our God, and obey his
voice." So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made
statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the
book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there
under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said
to all the people, "This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard
all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness
against you, should you wish to deny your God." Then Joshua dismissed
the people, each to his own heritage. After these events, Joshua, son
of Nun, servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

MATTHEW 19:13-15
Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and
pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children
come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs
to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

REFLECTION
In today's Gospel Jesus rebuked the apostles for holding back the
children from him. Jesus told his apostles: "Let the little ones come
to me, for of these is the kingdom of heaven made." When we fail to
recognize our neighbor as the child of God that he is, or when we
ourselves fail to be interiorly a child of God, we make of ourselves
the inhuman monster of which Shakespeare speaks: "How sharper than a
serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."

Of children Charles Dickens wrote: "I love these little people; and it
is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."
Robert Southey would say: "Call not that man wretched who, whatever
ills he suffers, has a child to love." James Russel wrote: "Children
are God's apostles sent forth, day by day, to preach of love, and hope
and peace."

As Christians we are all called by Jesus to put on a spirit of
childhood. The more sophisticated, technical, mathematical, scientific
and computerized our world becomes, the more must we keep somewhere in
our heart a corner of childhood, a corner of innocence and freshness.
What is needed here is not a regression to childishness but a genuine
spirit of childhood in our day-to-day living of the Gospel.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
... for the strength, healing and speedy recovery of:
- Donna
- Clarise Welch, Charlie Castro, Delly David, Julie Manzon, Glenda
Bisco, Abelino Gutual
- Ernesto, Feliciana, Dennis, Aileen
- Damaso Guevara
- Dodo
- Ely
... for the personal intentions of:
- Julie and Glenn Manzon, Domingo Barayoga Jr., Churchill Barayoga,
Ashley Joy Barayoga
- Chibu, Trinna, Tinky, Gailey, Noc
- Jose Rigor, Rogelio, Nerissa and Maria Fatima
- Jasmin
- Henilyn
- Pauline
- Guevara Family
- San Juan de Dios Hospital
... In Thanksgiving:
- Manzon Family, Barayoga Family, Escamilla Family, Vergara Family,
Bisco Family, Castro Family, De Castro Family, Welch Family, Domingo
Barayoga Jr., Cesy & Benjie
- Marina, Dinah and Jao
- Bonsol family
for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Candido, Maria, Isidora, Alipio, Jovita, Alfonso, Alfonsa
- Domingo Barayoga Sr., Lourdes Barayoga, Allan Escamilla
- Maria, Candido, Alipio, Alfonso, Alfonsa, Jovita, Isidora
- Lilia
- Ernesto Guevara
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.
... 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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