DAILY- HOMILY

JUNE 28, 2009
13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

WISDOM 1:13-15; 2:23-24
Because God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction
of the living. For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome, And there is not a
destructive drug among them nor any domain of the nether world on
earth, For justice is undying. For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him. But by the envy of the devil,
death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience
it.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7, 9, 13-15
Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all
earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this
gracious act also. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so
that by his poverty you might become rich. not that others should have
relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your
surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their
surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality. As it
is written: "Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had
little did not have less."

MARK 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again (in the boat) to the other side, a large
crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the
synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at
his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, "My daughter is at
the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may
get well and live." He went off with him, and a large crowd followed
him and pressed upon him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages
for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many
doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but
only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in
the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, "If I but touch his
clothes, I shall be cured." Immediately her flow of blood dried up.
She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus,
aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the
crowd and asked, "Who has touched my clothes?" But his disciples said
to him, "You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask,
`Who touched me?'" And he looked around to see who had done it. The
woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and
trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He
said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be
cured of your affliction." While he was still speaking, people from
the synagogue official's house arrived and said, "Your daughter has
died; why trouble the teacher any longer?" Disregarding the message
that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be
afraid; just have faith." He did not allow anyone to accompany him
inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they
arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a
commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said
to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but
asleep." And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took
along the child's father and mother and those who were with him and
entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand
and said to her, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, I say to
you, arise!" The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked
around. (At that) they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders
that no one should know this and said that she should be given
something to eat.

REFLECTION
The kingdom of God is at hand. This is the message of Jesus who
substantiated such a proclamation with authoritative teachings like
the Sermon on the Mount which even made perfect previous laws and
commandments, and miracles like the taming of winds and nature, and
healings of the blind, lame, and possessed with evil spirits.

Today's Gospel account focuses on healing those who are ill. We take
note on the play of the number 12 which we know is significant as it
represents the twelve tribes of Israel. This number was again given
emphasis with the recruitment of Jesus of twelve apostles. But more
importantly the miraculous healings of Jesus in today's Gospel reading
involve a woman and a child.

One might initially question as to why make a big issue of it. After
all, Jesus is known for healing anyone who seeks his assistance. This
is true but what has to be given consideration is that these cures are
done in the context of Jewish society which is patriarchal. Women and
other sectors like orphans, the poor, and children are considered as
second-class citizens.

In this regard, these back-to-back healings of Jesus are crucial in
that Jesus is trying to impart the message: that those considered as
nobodies and taken for granted in society are indeed important and
close to him. Jesus seems to convey to people then and to us now a
preferential option for those in the fringes of society. In
proclaiming the Good News to everyone, Jesus has a special leaning to
the so-called nobodies and marginalized in society.

One may remember the compassion of Jesus with regard to the widow of
Naim (Lk 7:11-47). As the body of the son was being brought out, Jesus
showed mercy on this poor widow whose only son had died.

Based on the foregoing, we may now look at ourselves whether as
individuals or communities whether we have been truly responsive to
these sectors in society. The Church has always proclaimed her
preferential option for the poor. But have we really expended serious
efforts to address the plight of this majority in our midst? To what
extent have we been neglectful of the needs of other sectors of
society? Can we give more vigor and enthusiasm to address the plight
of the poor and the disadvantage of society?

Let us pray for a deeper awareness of our prejudices particularly to
those whom we would consider as nobodies in society. May the example
of Jesus' compassion to such people inspire us to respond more
generously and lovingly to such people.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Francis Torres
- Camille Torres
- Mylene Lingad
- Shiappee
- Ester Gonzalez
- those sick with the H1N1 virus
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Meiyin
- Juvy Ong
- Lisa
… for the special intentions: San Juan de Dios Hospital
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Lucianne Cham
- Birthday: Rev. Fr. Jesus Fernandez, S.J.
- Wedding Anniversary: Harry & Helen Tan
- Wedding Anniversary: Lydia Ragos
- In Memoriam (+): Peter Lim Sr. (1903-1993)+
… 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
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---