DAILY- HOMILY

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AUGUST 16, 2009
20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

PROVERBS 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house, she has set up her seven columns; she has
dressed her meat, mixed her wine, yes, she has spread her table. She
has sent out her maidens; she calls from the heights out over the
city: "Let whoever is simple turn in here; To the one who lacks
understanding, she says, Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine I
have mixed! Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way
of understanding."

EPHESIANS 5:15-20
Brothers and sisters: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish
persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because the
days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to
understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get drunk on wine,
in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always and for
everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

JOHN 6:51-58
Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from
heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that
I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." The Jews quarreled
among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the
flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life
within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal
life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I
have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will
have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread
will live forever."

REFLECTION
What is first admirable in Jesus is his steadfastness and consistency
in his beliefs and convictions. In today's Gospel from the sixth
chapter of John, Jesus constantly repeats his identity as the bread of
life. Anyone who eats this bread will have life eternal. Despite the
unbelief and the objections of people to Jesus' revelation of himself,
these did not result in Jesus' retracting his assertions. Rather, he
tried to ex plain why he claims to be the bread from heaven.

Regarding Jesus' claim about being the bread of life that would
sustain us, this is essentially an invitation for us to see that in
our receiving Christ in our lives, we are able to experience a glimpse
of eternal life. And a good way to grasp Jesus as the bread of life is
to deepen our understanding of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is
understood in many ways. It is a meal, a sacrifice (that is why we
call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass not to be understood as
sacrificing whenever we go to mass), a thanksgiving, and presence.

Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we re-enact the Last Supper
when Jesus gave himself to his friends. However, our celebration of
the Eucharist yesterday, today, and tomorrow is not a simple recall or
remembrance. As Christians, we believe that in the Mass, through the
intercession of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine truly become the
Body and Blood of Jesus. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. And
we, who are desirous to be more faithful and loving, would partake of
Jesus' body and blood during communion. Of course, it is no guarantee
that all who receive communion are assured of salvation as Jesus
surely sees what is in our hearts. Rather, there is hope that when we
receive Jesus, this would have its effects on us.

We sometimes have this notion that we are able to know the kind of
person with what he likes to eat. We would call anyone fond of meat as
carnivorous and that of one who enjoys tremendously vegetables, a
vegetarian. In the same manner, can we, who partake of Jesus in Holy
Communion, call ourselves as Christians? Do we exhibit in our words
and actions that we are truly friends in the Lord? After all, did not
Jesus remind his disciples during his last discourse to his disciples
to love one another for it is through the love and care of disciples
for one another that people would be able to recognize them as the
friends of Jesus?

And what is this life eternal that Jesus promises? Isn't it
essentially the realization that we continually experience the
presence of Jesus particularly when we join in the celebration of the
Eucharist and we are able to receive His Body and Blood that give us
inspiration and life? We feel challenged to be his faithful and loving
followers likewise ready to be selfless even to the point of offering
our lives for Him. We hope that in our suffering and death, new life
would emerge. We feel a special bond and unity with Jesus no matter
what happens. We experienced a transformation and conversion that
would bring us ever closer to Jesus. In this regard, Jesus dwells in
us and we in Him.

Let us pray today, that we may remember the great sacrifice of Jesus
in offering himself for our salvation and truly experience His true
presence in us. May these, in turn, be manifested in a deeper faith —
translated in good works and relationships, a glimpse of the eternal
life that we desire and aspire.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Rebecca
- Arnold Cabatingan
- Crisanta Anas
- Kevin, Keempee and Darlita
- Brenda Domingo-Solis
- Lisa
… for the health and well-being of
- Fe Vergel de Dios-Domingo
- Rowena
… for the personal intentions of Leonel Cabral
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Deogracias Tigno, Rolando Alano, Clara Tigno, Deocarlo Tigno, Boy
Estacio, Robert Tacbad, Babes Pacetes, Arnel de Guzman, Susan
Fernandez
- Mariano "Bubba" Nocom
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: David S. Lim
- Birthday: Aurelio Montinola
- Birthday: Norma B. Villegas
- Birthday: Janine Lin
- Birthday: Kristine Anne D. Villanueva
- Birthday: Richard Chua
- Wedding Anniversary: John and Annabel Braganza
- Wedding Anniversary: Francis & Joanne Agbayani
- In Memoriam (+): Vicente C. Aquino
… 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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