DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 29, 2008
5TH DAY, 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 purpose of the Christmas season is to grow greatly in love for
Jesus. To grow in love requires God's grace, our willingness to accept
His grace, and a process by which we are transformed and made more
capable of loving. We go through this process of transformation by
taking step after step in obedience. "By obedience to the truth" we
purify ourselves "for a genuine love." "The way we can be sure of our
knowledge of Him is to keep His commandments."

By obedience, Mary conceived Christ and loved him deeply. By
obedience, Joseph became the foster father of Jesus and grew from love
to love. By obedience, the shepherds and wise men saw the infant Jesus
and began a new life of love forever. By obedience, Simeon met Jesus,
the Light to the Gentiles, the Glory of Israel and the God who is
Love. Christmas is a journey into "the breadth and length and height
and depth of Christ's love." We do not know the way, but Jesus is the
Way, and will tell us each step to take. Just obey the God of Love on
the road to love.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Bianca Foenander
- Lisa
- Graham
- Sophia Gonzalez
… In Thanksgiving for all the blessings received: Ronnie Delgado
… for the safe trip of: Jonalyn Laranang
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: EC Escamillan
- Birthday: Honorata P. Suyosa
- Birthday: Raul T. Concepcion
- 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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