DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 17, 2009
MEMORIAL, ST. ANTHONY, ABBOT
SATURDAY 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

HEBREWS 4:12-16
The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged
sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow,
and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature
is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes
of him to whom we must render an account. Since we have a great high
priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let
us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly
been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently
approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for
timely help.

MARK 2:13-17
Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught
them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the
customs post. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and
followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax
collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there
were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that
Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his
disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus
heard this and said to them, "Those who are well do not need a
physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but
sinners.

REFLECTION
In today's Gospel, we see Jesus taking the initiative of finding and
calling the men whom he wanted to follow him.

Matthew was sitting at his table doing his work. He was not looking
for a vocation. He certainly did not ask Jesus to come. Jesus simply
walked into his life and turned his life upside down. Matthew did not
ask to be called. However, when Jesus called, he got up immediately to
follow him. Matthew did not argue with the call or fight it. He
accepted Christ's invitation to participate in his life and mission,
and he accepted the changes that this meant. After his call, Matthew
got to work. He invited friends over to his house so that they could
meet Jesus.

Matthew does not keep Jesus to himself. He actively spread his
friendship and love for Jesus with others. He wanted them to enter
into the friendship that he had entered. Jesus wants to save all
people but he depends on our efforts to share him with others. Jesus
turns no one away. He is not afraid to be associated with sinners.
This is the good news of salvation.

We know that we need to share Jesus with others. One way to do so is
to set a good example by the way we live our lives and communicate
with others. We should first witness to Christ with our lives and then
not be afraid to speak of Jesus and what he has done in our lives. We
need to remember the number of people who are spiritually lost and
adrift in this world.

What are we doing for them?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of Erika
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Maria Uy. Eternal rest grant
unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all the
dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Buddy Taylor
- In Memoriam (+): Tong, Hun
… for the healing and peace of all families

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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