DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 15, 2010
MONDAY 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

JAMES 1:1-11
From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to
the twelve tribes of the Dispersion. My brothers, consider it a great
joy when trials of many kinds come upon you, for you well know that
the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance must
complete its work so that you will become fully developed, complete,
not deficient in any way. Any of you who lacks wisdom must ask God,
who gives to all generously and without scolding; it will be given.
But the prayer must be made with faith, and no trace of doubt, because
a person who has doubts is like the waves thrown up in the sea by the
buffeting of the wind. That sort of person, in two minds, inconsistent
in every activity, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
It is right that the brother in humble circumstances should glory in
being lifted up, and the rich in being brought low. For the rich will
last no longer than the wild flower; the scorching sun comes up, and
the grass withers, its flower falls, its beauty is lost. It is the
same with the rich: in the middle of a busy life, the rich will
wither.

MARK 8:11-13
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with him; they demanded
of him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test. And with a profound
sigh he said, 'Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell
you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And, leaving them
again, he re-embarked and went away to the other side.

REFLECTION
How can we consider trial a great joy when it is an experience of
affliction, suffering and failure? It is inevitable. All men will pass
through experiences of suffering and trial. We are confronted not only
with something impossible to overcome but also absurd. In the
scripture Job underwent a total stripping of his possessions and
esteem.

Why do we have to undergo trials or even temptations? Because it leads
to us to humility and helps us to acknowledge our limitations and
helplessness and at the same time acknowledge the mystery of God as
Job did. Trial is the passage to God. It can lead us to an intimate
relationship with Him and received gifts from the Holy Spirit such as
sturdiness, endurance, especially discernment. But there is an
obstacle for us to be faithful to the Lord during trials. The tempter
makes us doubt about God's faithfulness and love and presents us an
easy way out. Faith leaves us and what is left is human intelligence
and solution.

Christ is the answer to life's trials because he underwent the same
challenges in our flesh and came out victorious, trusting in the
goodness of the Father. We can also be faithful through him. Facing
trials with Christ has the capacity to make us pass from egoism to
love. "Sufferings bring patience and patience brings perseverance and
perseverance brings hope" (Rom. 5: 3-5).

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the strength and healing of:
- Brenda
- Filmore T.
- Alberto Atrero
- Renan Lacida
- Walter Stamatelaky
- Don V.
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Joel Dapo, Sheila Marie Y. Dapo, Josheil Dapo
… Birthday: Med V.
… for the eternal repose of the soul of
- Eugene Yang
- Maria Olbes Velasco
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: Bernette Yao Ong
- Birthday: Doroteo V. Palines
… 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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