DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 21, 2009
MEMORIAL, ST. AGNES, VIRGIN, MARTYR
WEDNESDAY 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

HEBREWS 7:1-3, 15-17
Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, met Abraham as
he returned from his defeat of the kings and blessed him. And Abraham
apportioned to him a tenth of everything. His name first means
righteous king, and he was also "king of Salem," that is, king of
peace. Without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days
or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a
priest forever. It is even more obvious if another priest is raised up
after the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become so, not by a law
expressed in a commandment concerning physical descent but by the
power of a life that cannot be destroyed. For it is testified: You are
a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

MARK 3:1-6
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered
hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the
sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the
withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to the
Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do
evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained
silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their
hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He
stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and
immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to
death.

REFLECTION
Today's Gospel talks of Jesus healing a man with a paralyzed hand
during the Sabbath. But because Jesus did some work during the
Sabbath, the Pharisees started plotting his death. What pushed the
Pharisees to come to that point? Is it fear of losing their power and
authority? Is it indignation and self-righteousness? Or is it just
plain stubbornness and resistance to changes? Some of them might just
be afraid of the consequences of rocking the boat.

Given our lives today, how are we like Jesus, who is unmindful of the
criticism of others? Who is not afraid to stand up and do what is
right? Who, even in anger, feels love and sorrow for his adversaries?
On the other hand, how are we like the Pharisees? Are there areas in
our lives we allow our fears to rule us? Are we resistant to changes
in our lives? Do we lack the daring to stand up to our peers and speak
our mind? Are we afraid to give offence and to disagree? Do we find it
easier to go with the flow? Are there resentments and regrets we keep
close to our hearts which we can never let go of? What benefits do we
get from clinging to our past hurts? What is stopping us from trying
to reconcile with an estranged family member or a friend? What is
hindering us from extending a helping hand to someone who needs it?
What is stopping us from offering ourselves up in service to God?

Today let us pray for Jesus to save us from the Pharisees in us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the safety, enlightenment and wisdom of Mary Beth Valenteros
… for the good health of the Valenteros family
… for the personal intentions of Pauline
… healings for
- Pam, Cindy R, Mrs. C, Henry D
- Sophia Gonzalez
… for the speedy recovery and healing of Henk van den Borne
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Mrs. Lorna C. Leonardo, Deogracias Tigno, Jr., Deogracias Tigno III,
Clara Tigno, Rolando Alano
- Lourdes Borja Reyes
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.
- Birthday: Patricia Anne C. Inocencio
… 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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