DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 6, 2010
MEMORIAL, ST. PAUL MIKI AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS
SATURDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

1 KINGS 3:4-13
The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, since that was the
principal high place -- Solomon presented a thousand burnt offerings
on that altar. At Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream during
the night. God said, 'Ask what you would like me to give you.' Solomon
replied, 'You showed most faithful love to your servant David, my
father, when he lived his life before you in faithfulness and
uprightness and integrity of heart; you have continued this most
faithful love to him by allowing a son of his to sit on his throne
today. Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in
succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in
leadership. And here is your servant, surrounded with your people whom
you have chosen, a people so numerous that its number cannot be
counted or reckoned. So give your servant a heart to understand how to
govern your people, how to discern between good and evil, for how
could one otherwise govern such a great people as yours?' It pleased
Yahweh that Solomon should have asked for this. 'Since you have asked
for this,' God said, 'and not asked for long life for yourself or
riches or the lives of your enemies but have asked for a discerning
judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a
heart wise and shrewd as no one has had before and no one will have
after you. What you have not asked I shall give you too: such riches
and glory as no other king can match.

MARK 6:30-34
The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught.
And he said to them, 'Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves
and rest for a while'; for there were so many coming and going that
there was no time for them even to eat. So they went off in the boat
to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw
them going, and many recognised them; and from every town they all
hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he
stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because
they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach
them at some length.

REFLECTION
We hear enough about the costs of being a disciple – how it leads to
suffering, alienation from the world, even death. In contrast, today's
Gospel is about the joy of following Christ.

It reminds us of the things that make life good. It starts as a
reunion among friends. The disciples have just come back from their
first mission for Jesus. Imagine them sharing a meal, swapping stories
of their adventures, being together. They were inspired by Jesus, a
leader they trusted and respected. They had a deep sense of belonging
and the satisfaction of a job well done. Underlying their joy was
their sense of purpose – what we would now call their vocation.

A vocation is truly a gift from God. A purpose in life gives us
clarity of vision and is a wellspring of joy. Witness the crowds who
hurry to the lonely place where Jesus and his friends were resting. In
contrast to the disciples, they were lost and hungry for truth. They
knew in their hearts that Jesus' words were spirit and life.

There is so much that Jesus needs us to do in these modern times. Too
many people are hungry. Too many children are neglected, or worse,
abandoned. Too many causes need champions to succeed.

We are called by Jesus to be his disciples. It is a call that demands
struggle and sacrifice. But we are sure that it also brings happiness
and peace.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Milliette R. Mascarinas
- Birthday: Carolina Estrella Bate
- Birthday: Amb. Alfonso Yuchengco
- Birthday: Santiago de los Angeles
- Birthday: Vicky Nañagas and Gabriel
- In Memoriam (+): Luis Roleda
- In Memoriam (+): Dionisio F. Galvan
- In Memoriam (+): Francis B. Ang (July 1, 1927- Feb 6, 2005)+
… for world peace and reconciliation.

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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