DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 24, 2009
TUESDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

SIRACH 2:1-11
My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear,
prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
incline your ear and receive the word of understanding, undisturbed in
time of adversity. Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake
him not; thus will you be wise in all your ways. Accept whatever
befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune
be patient; For in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people
in the crucible of humiliation. Trust God and God will help you; trust
in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old
therein. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, turn not away lest
you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not
be lost. You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy
and mercy. You who fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts will be
enlightened. Study the generations long past and understand; has
anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered
in his commandments and been forsaken? has anyone called upon him and
been rebuffed? Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives
sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who
seek him in truth.

MARK 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through
Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. He was teaching
his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over
to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son
of Man will rise." But they did not understand the saying, and they
were afraid to question him. They came to Capernaum and, once inside
the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the
way?" But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among
themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called
the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall
be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed
it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and
whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."

REFLECTION
This is an attitude very common to many of us. Many of us do not want
to be the servant. Everyone wants to be recognized, to be respected,
to be appreciated and served. No one wants to take the last place. We
see this as evidence in everyday events: lining up for the bus or
jeep, lining up during buffet meals, or even in the bank. This is the
tragedy of being human. We all want to be the greatest and to be
first. It matters so much and sometimes, too much. We hear of students
entering sadness when they do not get first honors … and its' even
worse for parents who get depressed when their kids are not number
one. We grow up in this competitive environment where to be first is
all that matters. In the office environment, we have to be ahead,
perhaps even stepping on people in order to achieve success at all
costs.

That is why the Gospel starts with the second prophecy of the passion
inviting the disciples to learn that the Son of Man will be put to
death before he can rise again. Many of us today, still do not
understand the necessity of Christ to enter passion, to take the last
place. The one who loses his life will find it, while the one who
tries to find his life will lose it. To be Christian means to follow
Christ who took the last place, who, even being the son of God, became
the servant of all in order to save 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
- Christy Chin
- Pam D, Cindi R, Angela I, Jan and Goldie
… In Thanksgiving: for passing Nursing Licensure Exam: Hana Marie G.
Marasigan
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Manuel Go. Eternal rest grant
unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and all the
dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Teddy Sy
- Wedding Anniversary: Harry & Gloria Hejazi
- In Memoriam (+): Marie O'Gorman
… 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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