DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 26, 2008
FEAST, STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR

ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and
signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of
Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and
Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not
withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they
heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and
saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and
he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered
their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the
city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at
the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he
called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

MATTHEW 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you
over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be
led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them
and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you
are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment
what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit
of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to
death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents
and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my
name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved."

REFLECTION
It is fitting that God's words are very reassuring during this time.
At the end of the year, our reflections bring us back to the main
reason why we have to be faithful to God in all trying circumstances
of our lives until the end; even if it may sometimes mean that we be
put to death for His sake. It is in keeping with the admonition that
indeed we have to die to ourselves in order to let God live in us;
that others many see us as real living followers of our Lord, Jesus
Christ.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Lisa
- Graham
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Bianca Foenander
… for the healing of Chato Dizon and family
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Celso F. Bate
- Birthday: Lilia B. Yang
- Wedding Anniversary: Mark & Michelle Sison
- In Memoriam(+): Romualdo V. Suyosa
… 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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