DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 18, 2009
MEMORIAL, CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP & DOCTOR
WEDNESDAY 3RD WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

DEUTERONOMY 4:1, 5-9
Moses spoke to the people and said: "Now, Israel, hear the statutes
and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and
may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God
of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, I teach you the statutes
and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may
observe them in the land you are entering to occupy. Observe them
carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and
intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and
say, `This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.' For
what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD,
our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has
statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am
setting before you today? "However, take care and be earnestly on your
guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let
them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your
children and to your children's children."

MATTHEW 5:17-19
Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish
the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest
letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until
all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the
least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called
least in the Kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these
commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."

REFLECTION
Because God loves us, He gave us the commandments to guide us through
the course of our daily lives. If there were no laws to govern a
people, there would be much chaos in the world.

Sometimes, some people view the law as such which limits freedom.
Others tend to use the law to their own advantage, manipulating and
twisting it to oppress rather than using it to protect others. These
people see the law as that which makes them all-powerful and
controlling, using instead of helping others. Hence some of us feel
oppressed by the law, since many of those who are there to enforce the
law use it to intimidate and dominate instead of protect and defend.

God's law sets people free, God's law is the law of love. When we
accept, understand and implement the spirit of God's Law of Love, we
show love, care, respect and generosity towards our fellow man. We
seek to improve the lives of others and ourselves, educating our
children, helping others become better people and citizens of the
world. We employ and empower ourselves and others to become better
people. Love begets love. This is a clear cascading of Christian love
and being pro-active; a clear manifestation and use of God's
commandments.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Marlyn Tadeo
- Eligia Fernando
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Ester Marcelo
- Elena
… for the personal intentions of:
- Hernane B. Suede
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Fr. Tom Green, S.J.
- Sister Teresa Mabasa, DC
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: Marco Yao Bate
- Wedding Anniversary: Greg & Suzanne Kaw
- Wedding Anniversary: Rosalind & Erwin Ty Tan
- In Memoriam (+): Frank Atienza
… 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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