DAILY- HOMILY

APRIL 1, 2009
WEDNESDAY 5TH WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

DANIEL 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
King Nebuchadnezzar said: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue
that I set up? Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had
made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp,
psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise,
you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the
God who can deliver you out of my hands?" Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to
defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve,
can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king,
may he save us! But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will
not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up." King
Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times
more than usual and had some of the strongest men in his army bind
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot
furnace. Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we
not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they
answered. "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt,
walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."
Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted
in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies
rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

JOHN 8:31-42
Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my
word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are descendants
of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say,
`You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to
you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not
remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son
frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are
descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word
has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father's
presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."They answered
and said to him, "Our father is Abraham."Jesus said to them, "If you
were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But
now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I
heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of
your father!" So they said to him, "We were not born of fornication.
We have one Father, God."Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father,
you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on
my own, but he sent me."

REFLECTION
The Gospel speaks of slavery and freedom. To the Jews who believed in
him, Jesus said: If you make my word your home you will indeed be my
disciples; you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.

What are the things, persons, opinions and other various attachments
that we have that hold us to bondage; making us slaves of our own
thinking and way of life?

May this season of Lent once again remind us to rid ourselves of the
things and thoughts that enslave us. The Gospel speaks of the truth
and redemption from sin to those who believe. Let us journey towards
freedom and love just as Jesus loves us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Ester Marcelo
- Lisa
- Christy Chin
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Elena Acero. 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: Lorraine Philipps N. Sy
- Birthday: Richard L. Lee
- In Memoriam (+): Yu Ba Lee+
… 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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