DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 28, 2009
SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY – YEAR I

ISAIAH 58:9B-14
Thus says the LORD: If you remove from your midst oppression, false
accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the
hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the
darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday; Then the
LORD will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched
land. He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered
garden, like a spring whose water never fails. The ancient ruins shall
be rebuilt for your sake, and the foundations from ages past you shall
raise up; "Repairer of the breach," they shall call you, "Restorer of
ruined homesteads." If you hold back your foot on the sabbath from
following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the sabbath a
delight, and the LORD's holy day honorable; If you honor it by not
following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with
malice– Then you shall delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride
on the heights of the earth; I will nourish you with the heritage of
Jacob, your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

LUKE 5:27-32
Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He
said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything behind, he got up and
followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and
a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them.
The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying,
"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus said
to them in reply, "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but
the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but
sinners."

REFLECTION
Jesus' reply to the Pharisees for eating in the house of one whom they
considered a sinner is this: "I have not come to call the righteous to
repentance but sinners." It is a statement open to all humanity in
need of redemption. It is an affirmation that shows us that God is not
exclusive. Jesus has come for all sinners, and he extends to all his
call to repent and be transformed by his grace. It shows us that Jesus
wants to reach everybody and forgive everybody. He is not like us, who
discriminate and hold grudges. When someone sins more, God makes
particular efforts to reach that person and offer His pardon and His
elevating grace. It is indeed a great example for us to follow when we
have difficult moments in our dealings with others.

Jesus teaches us patience. Jesus teaches us that we must love and
build bridges whenever the opportunity arises. Jesus sets the example
and sends us to evangelize people who do not know him, or who offend
him knowingly, half-knowingly, or even unknowingly. Interestingly
enough, Jesus calls those who oppose him "self-righteous people"
because they are inflexible, and their criteria cannot be bent. Jesus
calls us, on the other hand, to forgive, as often as is necessary. We
need to learn how to forgive in a world that tells us to be tough and
not to let anything get past us.

We are all sinners. We all need to be forgiven and to forgive one
another. We all need to allow love to invade our hearts so that it may
be the bond that reunites us. While thanking Jesus today for setting
us the example of forgiveness, let us ask him to help us to forgive
wholeheartedly those who have done us wrong, and to love them, pray
for them and do good to them even though they hinder and harm 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
- Elizabeth Berame Santos
- Sr. Teresa Mabasa, DC
- Marlyn Tadeo
- Gett Que
… for the personal intentions of
- Kristine Valenteros
- the Dapo family
- Belardo and Magcamit families
... for the wisdom, guidance and enlightenment of Mary Beth Valenteros
… for good health: Valenteros family
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Ernesto Guevara. 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: Nancy C. Herrin (Feb 29)
- Birthday: Ramon Antonio G. Castro (Feb 29)
- Birthday: Julian S. Lola, Jr.
- Birthday: Stephen S. Yu
- Birthday: Lily L. Yu
- Birthday: Angel Doble (Feb 29)
- Prayer Intention: Gary Edmund Lee, Mary Ann Diaz 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!

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To subscribe email: dailyhomily@gmail.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to:
daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

© 2009 Daily-Homily
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---