DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 23, 2009
21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

JOSHUA 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B
Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem,
summoning their elders, their leaders, their judges, and their
officers. When they stood in ranks before God, Joshua addressed all
the people: "If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today
whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or
the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are now dwelling. As for
me and my household, we will serve the LORD." But the people answered,
"Far be it from us to forsake the LORD for the service of other gods.
For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of
the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great
miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire
journey and among the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we
also will serve the LORD, for he is our God."

EPHESIANS 5:21-32
Brothers and sisters: Be subordinate to one another out of reverence
for Christ. Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the
Lord. For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of
the church, he himself the savior of the body. As the church is
subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their
husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ
loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might
present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or
any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. So also
husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his
wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather
nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we
are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father
and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one
flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and
the church.

JOHN 6:60-69
Many of Jesus' disciples who were listening said, "This saying is
hard; who can accept it?" Since Jesus knew that his disciples were
murmuring about this, he said to them, "Does this shock you? What if
you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is
the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words
I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you
who do not believe." Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would
not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, "For this
reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted
him by my Father." As a result of this, many of his disciples returned
to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then
said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?" Simon Peter answered
him, "Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of
God."

REFLECTION
The readings this Sunday are moments of truth, a time to decide. No
fence sitters are allowed. One has to make a stand as to whether one
is for or against God.

In the first reading, Joshua calls the people together and ritually
demands to know where they stand before God. He presents to them the
possibilities and it is up to them to decide their pledge of
allegiance. Will they follow the Lord God or the god of the Amorites?
And the people proclaim that they will serve the Lord God as their
ancestors were called to serve when brought out of Egypt into freedom.

Meanwhile, in the Gospel, Jesus concludes his discourse on his being
the bread of life which unfortunately was not warmly accepted by the
people. They just had too many objections and reservations to believe
what Jesus claimed himself to be, that is, the bread of life coming
from heaven. Anyone who accepts him will gain eternal life unlike the
ancestors who received manna continues to be discontented and
unfulfilled. Jesus then assures them of eternal life if they will
believe and receive him. And now Jesus turns to the twelve and asked
them as to what is their stand. Will they leave like the other
disciples who could not reconcile their previous knowledge and
understanding with what Jesus was explaining to them? Peter, then,
answers beautifully: "Lord, you have the words of eternal life. We
have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of
God."

There are certainly many moments in our lives when we are confronted
to make decisions. One thing for sure is that when we do not make a
decision, it is good to remember that to keep the status quo and not
do anything about it is a decision in itself. What is important then
is to make decisions no matter how tentative these may be and to act
upon it. And if in the course of time, when you discover that the
earlier decision does not turn out to be the best, then you have to
decide again as to what could be possibly done in order to lead you
where you want to be.

If there is anything that seems to be common talk nowadays, it is on
the topic of health. People are conscious of keeping healthy for
various reasons. The funny thing about it is that of those who would
like to lose weight or keep trim do not expend serious effort nor
discipline themselves to be able to achieve their goals. In the end,
it is the discipline of eating healthy food, and regular exercise that
will bring about the desired results.

How about for other for our choice between knowing Christ and other
"gods?" We would readily claim that we are for Christ. But can this be
readily substantiated in the conduct of our lives?

As long as we live, Jesus will constantly ask us as to where we stand.
What are our convictions particularly our understanding and
relationship with him? Are such convictions readily seen and evident
in our lives? These are some questions we might want to ponder on
today.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Kevin, Keempee and Darlita
- Brenda Domingo-Solis
- Lisa
… for the speedy recovery and strength of
- Kurt Czyrell M. Sison
- Elyssa
… for the health and well-being of Fe Vergel de Dios-Domingo
… for the personal intentions of
- Adoracion Alday
- Edith
- Josheil Dapo
- Med Villanueva
… for the safety of San Juan de Dios Hospital
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Imelda C. Barba
- Raul and Epifania Ylaya
- Luciano Soliven
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: Cristine C. Tan
- Birthday: Merlinda M. Sy
- Birthday: Sherwin M. Alda
- Thanksgiving: Marcela F. Pilones & Family
… 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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