DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 12, 2009
CANONIZATION, ST IGNATIUS LOYOLA & ST FRANCIS XAVIER
THURSDAY 2ND WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

JEREMIAH 17:5-10
Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who
seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He
is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man
who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree
planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the
year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More
tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can
understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of
his deeds.

LUKE 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a rich man who dressed in
purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And
lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the
rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the
poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where
he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and
Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, `Father Abraham, have pity on
me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' Abraham replied,
`My child, remember that you received what was good during your
lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is
comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and
you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who
might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He
said, `Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I
have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to
this place of torment.' But Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the
prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, `Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then
Abraham said, `If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the
dead.'"

REFLECTION
Jesus is advising us, in today Gospel, put him at the center of our
lives. The rich man in the parable put himself first. God was distant,
unimportant to him. Perhaps we can see a little of ourselves in the
rich man. Perhaps we put material things ahead of our duties towards
God and our neighbor, thus neglecting the virtue of charity.

The poor man, Lazarus, was in need of a great deal. He suffered much.
It would seem that God had forgotten him; whereas with the rich man,
it would seem that God heaped blessing upon blessing on him. However,
the poor man had one thing: his salvation. He hoped in God alone. What
else could he depend on? This is not to suggest that we give up the
necessities of life, but it goes to show us that in the end, only one
thing matters: put ting God at the center of our lives.

Today's Gospel reminds us that in order to gain the Kingdom of God, we
need to turn to Jesus in complete dependence. It should be our one
desire to be with Jesus and also want to bring to him as many other
souls as possible. Let us make the effort to work hard to do all the
good possible and to share Jesus' love with all those whom we meet on
the road of life. Let us be Jesus' untiring apostle.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Ester Marcelo
- Lisa
- Jason Paul
- Christy Chin
… for the personal intentions of:
- Nitz Carvajal
- Pauline
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Priestly Ordination Bishop Pol Juacian, SVD
… 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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