Wednesday, December 15, 2010
THURSDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
THURSDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
ISAIAH 54:1-10
Shout for joy, barren one who has borne no children! Break into cries
and shouts of joy, you who were never in labour! For the children of
the forsaken one are more in number than the children of the wedded
wife, says Yahweh. Widen the space of your tent, extend the curtains
of your home, do not hold back! Lengthen your ropes, make your tent-
pegs firm, for you will burst out to right and to left, your race will
dispossess the nations and repopulate deserted towns. Do not fear, you
will not be put to shame again, do not worry, you will not be
disgraced again; for you will forget the shame of your youth and no
longer remember the dishonour of your widowhood. For your Creator is
your husband, Yahweh Sabaoth is his name, the Holy One of Israel is
your redeemer, he is called God of the whole world. Yes, Yahweh has
called you back like a forsaken, grief-stricken wife, like the
repudiated wife of his youth, says your God. I did forsake you for a
brief moment, but in great compassion I shall take you back. In a
flood of anger, for a moment I hid my face from you. But in
everlasting love I have taken pity on you, says Yahweh, your redeemer.
For me it will be as in the days of Noah when I swore that Noah's
waters should never flood the world again. So now I swear never to be
angry with you and never to rebuke you again. For the mountains may go
away and the hills may totter, but my faithful love will never leave
you, my covenant of peace will never totter, says Yahweh who takes
pity on you.
LUKE 7:24-30
When John's messengers had gone he began to talk to the people about
John, 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in
the breeze? No! Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine
clothes? Look, those who go in magnificent clothes and live
luxuriously are to be found at royal courts! Then what did you go out
to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he
is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my
messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you. 'I tell you,
of all the children born to women, there is no one greater than John;
yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.' All the
people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God's
saving justice by accepting baptism from John; but by refusing baptism
from him the Pharisees and the lawyers thwarted God's plan for them.
REFLECTION
Whenever a very important person (VIP) schedules to visit a certain
venue, logistical preparations for security, food, and other concerns
are standard operating procedure. Nothing is left to chance; the whole
event must be guaranteed to run smoothly. This is the reason why
stringent measures are in place and back-up plans are drawn up to
cover any eventuality.
That's the point Jesus tries to make with regards to John the Baptist.
John the Baptist was sent ahead to inform everyone that Jesus is
arriving. The preparations of minds and hearts must be made to accept
him. When the messenger starts getting the message out, we better
listen and get ready. Don't just stand around. Time to get moving!
Regarding security issues, are we guarding our spirits from the heavy
commercialism this season brings? There's no harm in buying gifts for
our loved ones and close friends, but if that's all we want to
celebrate, there might be something lacking in our special
commemoration.
Our own preparations for the arrival of the VIP of VIPs must be just
as detailed. It would be ideal to attend the 9-day novena masses
before Christmas. Another suggestion could be to set aside some funds
to share with others the blessings of the season. Whatever we plan to
do, let us continually wait in joyful anticipation for the arrival of
our Savior.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Deacon Joe Nicholas
- Jimmie Boeker
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee, John Lawrence
- Amparo Acuesta
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of
- Josheil Dapo
- Veronica Yap
- Bill and Carol
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Nalita Daclitan and Elmar
Fink. 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: Mario J. Padilla
- Birthday: Bea C. Ventura
- Birthday: Trini & Marilou B. Leichtman
- Wedding Anniversary: Paolo & Shaps Chikiamco
- Wedding Anniversary: Johnny & Susan Yu
- In Memoriam (+): Manuel Dee C. Ham
… 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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| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
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WEDNESDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
WEDNESDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
ISAIAH 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
May it be known from east to west that there is no one except me. I am
Yahweh, and there is no other, I form the light and I create the
darkness, I make well-being, and I create disaster, I, Yahweh, do all
these things. Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the clouds
pour down saving justice, let the earth open up and blossom with
salvation, and let justice sprout with it; I, Yahweh, have created it!
For thus says Yahweh, the Creator of the heavens -- he is God, who
shaped the earth and made it, who set it firm; he did not create it to
be chaos, he formed it to be lived in: I am Yahweh, and there is no
other. Speak up, present your case, let them put their heads together!
Who foretold this in the past, who revealed it long ago? Was it not I,
Yahweh? There is no other god except me, no saving God, no Saviour
except me! Turn to me and you will be saved, all you ends of the
earth, for I am God, and there is no other. By my own self I swear it;
what comes from my mouth is saving justice, it is an irrevocable word:
All shall bend the knee to me, by me every tongue shall swear, saying,
'In Yahweh alone are saving justice and strength,' until all those who
used to rage at him come to him in shame. In Yahweh the whole race of
Israel finds justice and glory.
LUKE 7:18-23
The disciples of John gave him all this news, and John, summoning two
of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, 'Are you the one who
is to come, or are we to expect someone else?' When the men reached
Jesus they said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, "Are you
the one who is to come or are we to expect someone else?" ' At that
very time he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil
spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he
gave the messengers their answer, 'Go back and tell John what you have
seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, those suffering
from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead
are raised to life, the good news is proclaimed to the poor; and
blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.'
REFLECTION
It is inherent in us to be doubtful that we constantly seek for
answers to our questions. We have a need to be reassured. John the
Baptist also needed reassurance when he was in prison that he sent two
men to ask Christ, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look
for another?" Christ answered, "Go and tell John what you have seen
and heard; blessed is the one who takes no offense at me". Was John
the Baptist expecting Christ to free him? When things do not go as
expected in our lives or when our prayers are not answered, do we find
ourselves doubting God's power and his love for us?
It will always be a constant struggle not to doubt our faith. We
should pray hard that we will have the strength to overcome the doubts
and uncertainties that can destroy our relationship with God. To have
faith in God is to believe in Him without asking for any miracles or
confirmation of His presence. We just know He is around us, guiding
and loving us unconditionally. Let us put our trust in Him and stay
rooted in Him even when the events in our lives dictate otherwise. God
is our Father. He alone knows what is best for us. Let us ask for the
grace of wisdom to know His will and the patience to allow God work in
our lives.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Vicky Fabella
- Deacon Joe Nicholas
- Jimmie Boeker
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee, John Lawrence
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of Josheil Dapo
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Arnold P. Paragsa
- Birthday: Celia Chua Jao
- In Memoriam (+): Yee Wei Koon
… 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!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
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© 2010 Daily-Homily
MEMORIAL, ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR
MEMORIAL, ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR
TUESDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR II
ZEPHANIAH 3:1-2, 9-13
Disaster to the rebellious, the befouled, the tyrannical city! She has
not listened to the call, she has not bowed to correction, she has not
trusted in Yahweh, she has not drawn near to her God. Yes, then I
shall purge the lips of the peoples, so that all may invoke the name
of Yahweh and serve him shoulder to shoulder. From beyond the rivers
of Ethiopia, my suppliants will bring me tribute. When that Day comes
you will never again be ashamed of all the deeds with which you once
rebelled against me, for I shall rid you of those who exult in your
pride; never again will you strut on my holy mountain. But in you I
shall leave surviving a humble and lowly people, and those who are
left in Israel will take refuge in the name of Yahweh. They will do no
wrong, will tell no lies; nor will a deceitful tongue be found in
their mouths. But they will be able to graze and rest with no one to
alarm them.
MATTHEW 21:28-32
'What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the
first, "My boy, go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I
will not go," but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man
then went and said the same thing to the second who answered,
"Certainly, sir," but did not go. Which of the two did the father's
will?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'In truth I tell
you, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the
kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, showing the way of
uprightness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors
and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think
better of it and believe in him.
REFLECTION
In today's Gospel, Jesus says that there is no entering the Kingdom of
God unless we repent and believe. We repent when we make a firm
decision to abandon all sin and begin to act on that decision. We
believe when we accept Jesus as the total Lord of all life. To the
degree that we do really repent and believe, to the degree that we
truly release more and more areas of our life to Jesus, to that degree
we are like the son who actually did the Father's will. Otherwise, we
are like the son who says: "Yes, Father", and does nothing about it.
That son's faith produces no fruit.
The contrast between the two sons in today's gospel captures the
difference between the outward expression of doing God's will without
any practical application and the effort of those holy people of all
ages who follow God's will as best they can. In the final analysis,
the depth of our celebration of Christmas will be measure not by the
Christmas carols that we sing and the Christmas cards and gifts we
give to one another, but by the extent with which we give ourselves
wholeheartedly to doing God's will and extending ourselves to heal
some wounds, help the hurting and bring support to those who have
little else on which to rely.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Vicky Fabella
- Deacon Joe Nicholas
- Jimmie Boeker
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of Josheil Dapo
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Arsenia P. Anlacan
- Birthday: Ma. Victoria Pecho
- Birthday: Hubert See Co
- Wedding Anniversary: Carlos & Rosalinda
- In Memoriam (+): Julian Lou
- In Memoriam (+): Ronald Allan Poe AKA (FPJ)
… 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!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
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© 2010 Daily-Homily
