DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 25, 2009
SOLEMNITY, THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD - C

ISAIAH 52:7-10
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad
tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation,
and saying to Zion, "Your God is King!" Hark! Your sentinels raise a
cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their
eyes, the Lord restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of
Jerusalem! For the Lord comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem. The
Lord has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the
ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

HEBREWS 1:1-6
Brothers and sisters: In times past, God spoke in partial and various
ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has
spoken to us through the Son, whom he made heir of all things and
through whom he created the universe, who is the refulgence of his
glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by
his mighty word. When he had accomplished purification from sins, he
took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high, as far
superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent
than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say: "You are my
son; this day I have begotten you"? Or again: "I will be a father to
him, and he shall be a son to me"? And again, when he leads the
firstborn into the world, he says: "Let all the angels of God worship
him."

JOHN 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be
through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be
through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome
it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to
testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was
not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of
God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural
generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And
the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his
glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I
said, `The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he
existed before me.'" From his fullness we have all received, grace in
place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The
only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him.

REFLECTION
Imagine how we would feel if the most beautiful gift that we ever
wanted or dreamed of suddenly fell on our laps. As John was composing
this Gospel , perhaps those similar feelings of wonderment and intense
awe utterly captivated his imagination. We are a people seemingly
destined for darkness but the light of hope is now in our midst.

Just imagine the prisoner who finally finds himself free or the
shipwrecked sailor noticing a rescue ship heading towards him. Take
the case of a soldier's wife who sees her loved one walking up the
driveway after an extended tour of duty. Even a child lost in a
shopping mall would be thankful to find himself back in the arms of
his family.

Moments like these remind us to be grateful. As the year draws to a
close, we look back with appreciation for all that we went through.
And as we look ahead to another new year, we thank the Lord again for
all the blessings He wishes to send our way.

This time of the year is always a good opportunity to take stock of
all that has been and all that will be at this present moment. Jesus
keeps his promise to stay with us and everything in our entire being
brings out this truth. We wouldn't be where we are without his loving
presence and constant guidance.

The gift of Christmas is Christ Himself. And it's not only once a year
that he makes himself available. He is there for us always and in all
ways. Let us always strive to share this message of hope and spread
his consoling love especially to those who fail to recognize what
Christmas truly means.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Brenda
- Eva Desiderio
- Francis Torres
- Mon Torres
- Jessy
… for healing and peace: Metodio Alapide
… for the safety of the residents of Albay, threatened by the eruption
of Mayon volcano
… good health: Isabelle
… Birthday and good health: Ben Baqui
… for the victims of natural disasters
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Alex Go Dematera
- Birthday: Emmanuel G. Osalvo
- Birthday: Natividad B. Lomibao
- Birthday: Natividad Respecio
- Prayer Intention: Friends & Relatives of James & Gloria Yu
- Thanksgiving: Castillo Family
- Wedding Anniversary: Mary & Christopher S. Lim
- Wedding Anniversary: Jennette & Christopher Co Chan
… 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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Parish Priests' e-mail:
Fr. J. Cesar R. Marin, S. J. parishpriest@marythequeen.org

Assistant Parish Priests' e-mails:
Fr. R. Hart, S. J. rodneyhart@marythequeen.org
Fr. Thomas O'Gorman, S. J. thogorman@marythequeen.org
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