DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 5, 2010
MEMORIAL, ST AGATHA, MARTYR
FRIDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

SIRACH 47:2-11
As the fat is set apart from the communion sacrifice, so was David
chosen out of the Israelites. He played with lions as though with
kids, and with bears as though with lambs. While still a boy, did he
not slay the giant and take away the people's shame, by hurling a
stone from his sling and cutting short the boasting of Goliath? For he
called on the Lord Most High, who gave strength to his right arm to
put a mighty warrior to death and assert the strength of his own
people. Hence they gave him credit for ten thousand, and praised him
while they blessed the Lord, by offering him a crown of glory. For he
destroyed the enemies on every front, he annihilated his foes, the
Philistines, and crushed their strength for ever. In all his
activities he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High in words of glory;
he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Creator. He
placed singers before the altar, melodiously to sing; he gave the
feasts their splendour, the festivals their solemn pomp, causing the
Lord's holy name to be praised and the sanctuary to resound from dawn.
The Lord took away his sins, making his strength ever greater; he gave
him a royal covenant, and a glorious throne in Israel.

MARK 6:14-29
King Herod had heard about him, since by now his name was well known.
Some were saying, 'John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that
is why miraculous powers are at work in him.' Others said, 'He is
Elijah,' others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets we used to
have.' But when Herod heard this he said, 'It is John whose head I cut
off; he has risen from the dead.' Now it was this same Herod who had
sent to have John arrested, and had had him chained up in prison
because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married.
For John had told Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your
brother's wife.' As for Herodias, she was furious with him and wanted
to kill him, but she was not able to do so, because Herod was in awe
of John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave him his
protection. When he had heard him speak he was greatly perplexed, and
yet he liked to listen to him. An opportunity came on Herod's birthday
when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army
officers and for the leading figures in Galilee. When the daughter of
this same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his
guests; so the king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I
will give it you.' And he swore her an oath, 'I will give you anything
you ask, even half my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother,
'What shall I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the Baptist.'
The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I want
you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.' The
king was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and
of his guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. At once the
king sent one of the bodyguard with orders to bring John's head. The
man went off and beheaded him in the prison; then he brought the head
on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took his body
and laid it in a tomb.

REFLECTION
Sometimes, or maybe, oftentimes, we find ourselves called to speak out
the truth—to declare what is morally wrong or right. Today, where our
country is mired in corruption, as Christians and like John the
Baptist, we are called to say that giving money to government
officials in order to get a project approved is wrong.

Where did John the Baptist get his strength and courage to tell Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."? Herod was a
powerful man and. If he only depended on his own strength then he must
have succumbed to just look the other way. Yet, John knew Jesus. He
got his strength from what Jesus taught him. Like the twelve apostles,
as we are to read in the next story, he, too must have been called to
be with Jesus to a deserted place to rest awhile. Do we also get
strength from Jesus in our everyday life?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Ricky Ongkiko
- Don V
- Gemma
- Davis Danao
- Abraham A
- Jerry Solis
- Jedidiah Vega
- Brenda
… for the personal intentions of:
- Alberto Guaba
- Josheil Dapo
- June Vendetti
- Mariano Montemayor
- Fr. Bill McGarry, SJ
… In Memoriam: Mrs. Pacita Tan Chiao Uy
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Danette D. Suyosa
- Birthday: Ma. Lourdes Salvador — Sy
- Prayer Intention: Albino & Emile Chua & Family
- In Memoriam (+): Marcial Pesuena
- In Memoriam (+): Jose Concepcion Sr.
- In Memoriam (+): Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.
… 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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