DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 28, 2009
FEAST, HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS

1 JOHN 1:5-2:2
Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and
proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in
darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light
as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and
the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We
are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If
we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our
sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, "We have not
sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My children, I
am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone
does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only
but for those of the whole world.

MATTHEW 2:13-18
When the magi had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to
Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee
to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search
for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his
mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the
death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might
be fulfilled, Out of Egypt I called my son. When Herod realized that
he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the
massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old
and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the
magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the
prophet: A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation;
Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since
they were no more.

REFLECTION
One might well ask: why interrupt our Christmas festivities with this
feast? Why should this fourth day of Christmas be a commemoration of
murdered infants? In today's Gospel, Matthew says that the slaughter
of the Innocents was in fulfillment of a saying of the prophet
Jeremiah: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly;
it is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for
her children, because they are no more." The very next verse is this:
"The Lord says, stop your lamenting, dry your eyes, for the Lord is
creating something new on earth." And this is the Christmas message:
"Stop your lamenting, dry your eyes, for the Lord is creating
something new on earth."

We do not have to be subjected to the Herods of this world any longer.
They may have power to commit atrocities but they cannot rule over us
any longer. We have a new king, a legitimate king, and he will rule in
our hearts.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of: Brenda
… for healing and peace: Metodio Alapide
... In Thanksgiving for all the blessing received and to come: Josheil
Dapo
… for the victims of natural disasters
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Raul and Epifania Ylaya.
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: Herminia Musico
- Birthday: Sheila San Buenaventura
- Birthday: Jesus Felix Gonong
- Birthday: Vicente K. Fabella
- Birthday: Celia R. Marin
- Wedding Anniversary: Victoria & Leonardo L. Yu
… 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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Parish Priests' e-mail:
Fr. J. Cesar R. Marin, S. J. parishpriest@marythequeen.org

Assistant Parish Priests' e-mails:
Fr. R. Hart, S. J. rodneyhart@marythequeen.org
Fr. Thomas O'Gorman, S. J. thogorman@marythequeen.org
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