DAILY- HOMILY

MAY 11, 2009
MONDAY 5TH WEEK OF EASTER – YEAR I

ACTS 14:5-18
There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews,
together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.
They realized it, and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe
and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim
the Good News. At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,
who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked
intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called
out in a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet." He jumped up
and began to walk about. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they
cried out in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in human form."
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes," because he was the
chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the
entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he
together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. The Apostles
Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed
out into the crowd, shouting, "Men, why are you doing this? We are of
the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news
that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made
heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In past generations
he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his
goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you
rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with
nourishment and gladness for your hearts." Even with these words, they
scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

JOHN 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever has my commandments and observes
them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my
Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him." Judas, not the
Iscariot, said to him, "Master, then what happened that you will
reveal yourself to us and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said
to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love
him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever
does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not
mine but that of the Father who sent me. "I have told you this while I
am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send
in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I
told you."

REFLECTION
In today's first reading, we heard about the encounter between Paul
and the man who was crippled. Recognizing that the man had faith to be
healed, Paul was able to cure him. When the people saw what Paul had
done, they were amazed and immediately thought that Paul and Barnabas
must be gods in human form. Paul and Barnabas quickly urged the people
to set aside all thoughts of them as gods, and Paul began to teach
them about the living God who created all things.

The practice of idolatry continues to this day and remains a
fundamental obstacle to be overcome in our spiritual lives and in
furthering God's kingdom. But in each age, new idols arise. Many
people today turn to science for answers to questions about the
origins and nature of life. Others have adopted the idea that right or
wrong is determined solely by what feels good. This way of living
makes an idol of oneself as people seek happiness through self-
satisfaction, self-indulgence and being guided only by one's personal
beliefs. The problem with any idol is that it never delivers what it
promises. Instead of bringing happiness, such idols lead to emptiness
and possible self-destruction, while preventing us from getting closer
to God.

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we show our love for him by
practicing his teachings in our daily lives. This is not only a sign
of our love for Jesus but it also provides a needed witness in the
world where far too many continue to serve idols.

Let our lives glorify God that others may also come to faith through
the example of our Christian living, turn away from empty idols and
place their trust and hope in the one true God.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Francis Torres
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Mylene Lingad
- Shiappee
- Francis Torres
- Aileen Olona
- Ester Marcelo
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for the speedy recovery of: Eligia Fernando
… for the strength, wisdom, discernment, inner peace, understanding of
Sheila
… Birthday and Thanksgiving: Dennis V. Domingo
… for the special intentions: San Juan de Dios Hospital
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Andy Sim
- Prayer Intention: Sr. Eloisa Marie C. Inocentes R.V.M.
- Thanksgiving: R & B Insurance Corporation
- Wedding Anniversary: Antonette & Karl Kenneth Benavidez
- In Memoriam (+): Sy To Chin
- In Memoriam (+): Filadelfo Inocentes (May 11, 1910-Nov 1, 1967)
- In Memoriam (+): Evelia N. Inocentes (May 11,1938-Feb. 1, 2001)
… 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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---