DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 7, 2009
SATURDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

HEBREWS 13:15-17,20-21
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice
of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget
to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is
pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep
watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that
their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no
advantage to you. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the
eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his
will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

MARK 6:30-34
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had
done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going
that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come
with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they
went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who
saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns
and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd,
he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a
shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

REFLECTION
In today's Gospel, Mark brings out very strongly the compassion and
the human understanding of Jesus for people. Jesus planned to give his
apostles a well-earned rest. The desire of the crowds, however, to see
him add to hear him speak upset these plans. Jesus could have sent the
crowds away, but his human compassion took over. Seeing these simple
people of Galilee so anxious to hear about God and his mercy, he let
them stay and began to preach the good news of forgiveness and hope to
them. These simple people were, as our Lord described them, like sheep
without a shepherd, wandering about half-lost.

The people of Galilee were ordinary people. Perhaps they cheated one
another, were often uncharitable to one another, not always chaste and
pure, and perhaps prayed only when they wanted some material benefit.
Yet Jesus had compassion for them. This should give us great
confidence, great encouragement. Jesus has the same compassion for us
as he had for these Galileans.

We, too, are often like sheep without a shepherd wandering half-lost
through life. He is forever calling us to come to himself so that he
will lead us to safe pastures. If only we would listen to his merciful
call.

Today's Gospel is one such call: it goes out to every member of our
community. Christ wants us back on the road to heaven. All we have to
do is to break with the past, to break away from the things that keep
us away from God. Let us not think that our sins are beyond
forgiveness or that Jesus will not have compassion because of our
past. We can remember those Galileans; many of them were sinners and
he had compassion for them. Jesus came to call sinners. Let us answer
his call today

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Roger Ebora
- Lourdes Ubana
- Aida Calleja
- Aurea Magcamit
- Christy Chin
… for the personal intentions of:
- CFC Community in KSA
- Pauline
- Lina Magcamit
- Healin
- Honorio J. Marasigan
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Toribio Ebora, Daisy and Ruel Pastrana, Jose Pascual, Alfred
Soriano
- Wilfredo Rodriguez
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: Virginia Sim
- In Memoriam (+): Damiana Fabella
… 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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