DAILY- HOMILY

MAY 1, 2009
MEMORIAL, ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER
FRIDAY 3RD WEEK OF EASTER – YEAR I

ACTS 9:1-20
Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the
Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the
synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who
belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky
suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice
saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who
are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must
do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they
heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but
when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the
hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see,
and he neither ate nor drank. There was a disciple in Damascus named
Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered,
"Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street
called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus
named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man
named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his
sight." But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many sources
about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in
Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to
imprison all who call upon your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go,
for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before
Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he
will have to suffer for my name." So Ananias went and entered the
house; laying his hands on him, he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord
has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came,
that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his
sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered
his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, and
he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the
Son of God.

JOHN 6:52-59
The Jews quarrelled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give
us his Flesh to eat?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do
not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh
is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and
drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father
sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who
feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came
down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while
teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

REFLECTION
St. Joseph was a descendant from the royal house of David. A village
carpenter of Nazareth, he was chosen among all men to be the husband
and protector of the Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ. To his loving care
was entrusted the childhood and youth of the Redeemer of the world. He
reveals to us the perfect model of Christianity through his purity of
heart, patience, and fortitude. Even though he was poor in worldly
possessions, he was rich in grace.

No one is exempt from God's call. And no one will know when he or she
will be called. We may not even be aware that we are already doing
something God has asked us to do. Paul's conversion from prosecutor to
preacher was a tall order. Joseph was asked to become the father of
his wife's child that isn't his. His call may compel us to act against
our reasoning, against ourselves and even against all odds…all for a
Higher Purpose that we may not be able to comprehend but all for of
His Greater Glory. God's call may just even be a simple call revealing
His all-encompassing, unconditional love.

St. Joseph the Worker's feast is celebrated on March 19, and a special
memorial is observed on May 1.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.

… for the healing and strength of:
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Francis Torres
- Mylene Lingad
- Shiappee
- Mimi Chua
- Jebson Joyosa
- Rogelio Perez
- Jonathan Castro
- Remee R. Veloso
- Ana del Rosario
- Arnold Cabatingan

… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Divina B. Prementil
- Birthday: Sis. Virginia Fabella
- Priestly Ordination: Benjamin Sim, S.J.
- Wedding Anniversary: Andy & Vickey Tong
- Wedding Anniversary: William & Nightingale Keyes

… for world peace and reconciliation.

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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