DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 9, 2010
SATURDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – YEAR II

1 JOHN 5:14-21
Our fearlessness towards him consists in this, that if we ask anything
in accordance with his will he hears us. And if we know that he
listens to whatever we ask him, we know that we already possess
whatever we have asked of him. If anyone sees his brother commit a sin
that is not a deadly sin, he has only to pray, and God will give life
to this brother -- provided that it is not a deadly sin. There is sin
that leads to death and I am not saying you must pray about that.
Every kind of wickedness is sin, but not all sin leads to death. We
are well aware that no one who is a child of God sins, because he who
was born from God protects him, and the Evil One has no hold over him.
We are well aware that we are from God, and the whole world is in the
power of the Evil One. We are well aware also that the Son of God has
come, and has given us understanding so that we may know the One who
is true. We are in the One who is true as we are in his Son, Jesus
Christ. He is the true God and this is eternal life. Children, be on
your guard against false gods.

JOHN 3:22-30
After this, Jesus went with his disciples into the Judaean countryside
and stayed with them there and baptised. John also was baptising at
Aenon near Salim, where there was plenty of water, and people were
going there and were being baptised. For John had not yet been put in
prison. Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a
Jew about purification, so they went to John and said, 'Rabbi, the man
who was with you on the far side of the Jordan, the man to whom you
bore witness, is baptising now, and everyone is going to him.' John
replied: 'No one can have anything except what is given him from
heaven. 'You yourselves can bear me out. I said, "I am not the Christ;
I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him." 'It is the
bridegroom who has the bride; and yet the bridegroom's friend, who
stands there and listens to him, is filled with joy at the
bridegroom's voice. This is the joy I feel, and it is complete. He
must grow greater, I must grow less.

REFLECTION
After Mary, John the Baptist must have been the closest person to
Jesus. John was Jesus' cousin. As they grew up, they must have had
countless talks on the meaning of life, their roles in the world,
their belief in God's plan for them. John had an intimate knowledge
and love of Jesus. So imagine what he must have felt to hear that
Jesus was nearby, finally following his destiny.

John's disciples thought he felt jealousy. John chides them gently: "A
man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from
heaven, and nothing more." It is harder to be anonymous, to take the
lesser part we have to play in life, and give it our best. And yet,
this is truly a gift from heaven. The surface quietness of our days
allows Christ more room in our lives. It allows us to grow in `a
familiar confidence' with him. (1 John 5:14)

Indeed, what John felt was joy. The time of waiting was over. Jesus,
the Light and the Truth, had finally revealed himself. Truly, the
Kingdom of God was at hand.

Unlike John, it's hard for us to realize that the Kingdom exists in
our lives. We catch a glimpse of it in prayer or in an act of
kindness. In fact, it is all around us, sustaining us. If only we
could enlarge the piece of the Kingdom that we recognize, and make it
grow, so that Christ becomes more present in our lives.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Brenda
- Marietta Triunfante
- Ma. Raphaelle Zenadine Dasas
- Gemma
- Davis Danao
- Francis Torres
- Mon Torres
- Jessy
- Ely Lara
- Rita Cuerva
… for the personal intentions of:
- Josheil Dapo
- Mariano Montemayor
- Mary Wong
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Lee Lian Tao. 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: Babes Batac
- Birthday: Ferdie Co
- Wedding Anniversary: Tony and Lina Buenafe
- Wedding Anniversary: Tony & Lina Buenafe
- Wedding Anniversary: Atty Antero Jr & Mila Sison
- Wedding Anniversary: Peter & Mary Anne de Guzman
- Wedding Anniversary: Darwin & Annette de Ocampo
- Wedding Anniversary: Michael & Ceylilona Tong
- Wedding Anniversary: Harris & Ever Ngo
… 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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