DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 14, 2011
FRIDAY 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Readings: Heb 4:1-5, 11 / Ps 78:3, 4, 6-7, 8 / Mk 2:1-12

HEBREWS 4:1-5, 11
Therefore let us fear while we are invited to enter the rest of God,
lest any of you be left behind. We received the Gospel exactly as they
did, but hearing the message did them no good, because they did not
share the faith of those who did listen. We are now to enter this rest
because we believed, as it was said: I was angry and made a solemn
vow: they will never enter my rest— that is the rest of God after he
created the world. In another part it was said about the seventh day:
And God rested on the seventh day from all his works. But now it is
said: They will not enter my rest. Let us strive, then, to enter the
rest and not to share the misfortune of those who disobeyed.

MARK 2:1-12
As the news spread that Jesus was at home, so many people gathered
that there was no longer room even outside the door. Some people
brought a paralyzed man to him. The four men who carried him couldn't
get near Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the
room where Jesus was and, through the hole, lowered the man on his
mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the
paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now, some teachers of the
Law who were sit ting there wondered within themselves, "How can he
speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?" At
once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked,
"Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: `Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say: `Rise, take up your mat and walk?' But
now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins." And he said to the paralytic, "Stand up, take up your
mat and go home." The man rose and, in the sight of all those people,
he took up his mat and went out. All of them were astonished and
praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

REFLECTION
Why did Christ forgive the sins of the paralytic before curing his
disease? In another miracle at the Pool of Bethsaida, Christ told the
healed man, "Now that you are well again be sure not to sin anymore or
something worse may happen to you." (Jn 5:14)

For Christ, the cure of the soul is more important than that of the
body. Besides, the Jews believed that sickness is a result of sin
committed either by the sufferer or his parents.

When we think about it, how much stress is caused by anxieties? And
hasn't it been found out that a lot of the fears of children are
inherited from parents? What to eat, how to clothe ourselves, worries
about the future, and fear of sickness – all these can cause a lot of
internal turmoil. We may even resort to dishonesty and injustice to
answer life's insecurities.

Christ wants conversion to accompany physical healing; miracles should
be signs of spiritual resurrection. We have an invitation from Christ:
"Come to me all of you who labor and are overburdened for I will give
you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and
humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is
easy and my burden light." (Mt. 11: 28-29)

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Jo Marcelo, Jun Lee
- Vicky Fabella
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of
- Marlon Llamas
- Josheil Dapo
- Trinna
… for the eternal repose of the soul of John Lawrence. 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: Fil Christian M. Cruz
- Birthday: Shay Canon
- Birthday: Dr. Ma. Fides Pacheco
- Birthday: Elizabeth Dee
- Birthday: Amador L. Reyes Jr.
- Birthday: Rosa B. Cua
- Wedding Anniversary: Brian & Ria Salonga
- In Memoriam (+): Florencia B. Cabrera
… 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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