DAILY- HOMILY

January 5, 2008
Memorial, John Neumann, bishop
Saturday before Epiphany - Year II

1 JOHN 3:11-21
For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should
love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil one and
slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter him? Because his own
works were evil, and those of his brother righteous. Do not be amazed,
(then,) brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed
from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love
remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way
we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has
worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how
can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word
or speech but in deed and truth. (Now) this is how we shall know that
we 7 belong to the truth and reassure our hearts before him in
whatever our hearts condemn, for God is greater than our hearts and
knows everything. Beloved, if (our) hearts do not condemn us, we have
confidence in God

JOHN 1:43-51
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he
said to him, "Follow me." Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the
town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found
the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also
wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything
good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true
Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." "How do you know me?"
Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under
the fig tree before Philip called you." Then Nathanael declared,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus
said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.
You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you
the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending
and descending on the Son of Man."

REFLECTION
During Jesus' time, Nazareth was a small backwater village, of ten not
even labeled on maps. Perhaps that's why Nathanael had the impression
Jesus could not be anyone of importance because he came from Nazareth.
It was only when Jesus spoke to Nathanael that he began to listen to
him.

Perhaps we discriminate or judge people because of their appearance,
education background or where they are from. Many battles have been
fought just because one group didn't like the skin color of the other.
Perhaps we even look down on those who are not as articulate in their
speech or who cannot afford to look as clean as we are.

In today's first reading, John tells us to love one another not only
in words but also in deeds. We should love each other as we do our
brothers and sisters -- loving and caring with no preconceived notions
or first impressions as obstacles. This love should be built to the
extent that we are willing to die for one another. When we have reach
this level of unselfish love, we have become true Christians,
attaining Jesus' mission of salvation.

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
- E.T.
... for the personal intentions of:
- Pauline
- O'Brien Family
- Mrs. Johnson, David, Theresa, Will and Anna
... Good health: Sheila Maxwell, Margarite and Evelyn Ponce de Leon
... In Thanksgiving for blessing received: Josheil Dapo
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Grace Del Castillo Mata M.D.
- In Memoriam(+): Francisco Soc Rodrigo
- Wedding Anniversary: John & Shellane Dimen
- Wedding Anniversary: James & Gloria C. Yu
... 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!

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Group "DAILY-HOMILY".

GROUP CONTACT
To subscribe email: dailyhomily@gmail.com
Or go to: http://homily.dailyfoodforthought.org/
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to:
daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
To contact: dhmoderator@dailyfoodforthought.org

SUPPORT THE DAILY-HOMILY MINISTRY:
Daily-Homily is solely supported by its subscribers. Any donation that you would like to make to help offset the cost of this ministry would be greatly appreciated.
To donate to this ministry, go to: http://dhdonation.dailyfoodforthought.org/

Feel free to forward this to your friends, family and associates!

© 2007 Daily-Homily
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---