DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 28, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, DOCTOR
FRIDAY 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Readings: Heb10:32-39 / Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 / Mk 4:26-34

HEBREWS 10:32-39
Remember the first days when you were enlightened. You had to undergo
a hard struggle in the face of suffering. Publicly you were exposed to
humiliations and trials, and had to share the sufferings of others who
were similarly treated. You showed solidarity with those in prison;
you were dispossessed of your goods and accepted it gladly for you
knew you were acquiring a much better and more durable possession. Do
not now throw away your confidence that will be handsomely rewarded.
Be patient in doing the will of God, and the promise will be yours: A
little, a little longer—says Scripture—and he who is coming will come;
he will not delay. My righteous one will live if he believes; but if
he distrusts, I will no longer look kindly on him. We are not among
those who withdraw and perish, but among those who believe and win
personal salvation.

MARK 4:26-34
Jesus said, "In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters
seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night,
the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of
itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
And when it is ripe for harvesting they take the sickle for the
cutting: the time for harvest has come." Jesus also said, "What is the
kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard
seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon
the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the
plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of
the air can take shelter in its shade." Jesus used many such stories
or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able
to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately
to his disciples he explained everything.

REFLECTION
Jesus used stories called parables to illustrate his teachings. In
doing so he made use of images drawn from earthly realities like
feast, vine, shepherd, sowing. These are images to signify the
realities revealed by God. Developed to a deeper level, these images
lead to faith.

Both parables in our Gospel reading speak about the kingdom of God
likened to a mustard seed. Its size is only a pinhead yet it can grow
to a big shrub. In another parable the Parable of the Sower, Christ
explained the seed as the Word of God. The reception of the Word of
God in not the same for everyone because it depends on the internal
disposition of the person. The seed falls on the path, stone, thorns
and good soil. We can readily accept the Word of God but it can be
eaten up by worries of life, trials, persecutions, affective issues.
All "hear" but only those who understand or accept the seed bear
fruit. In the conclusion at the Sermon on the Mount, Christ says,
"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and act on them will be
like a sensible man who built his house on a rock. Rain came down,
floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house and
it did not fall because it was founded on rock." (Mt. 7: 24-26)
Contrary to the one who listened and did not put it into practice, his
house would fall because it was built on sand.

The Virgin Mary accepted the Word of God and its fruit was Jesus
Christ. Human words are mostly empty but God's words have an intrinsic
poser that can build lives, grant wisdom, refute error, and become our
guide to live upright lives.

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
- Lagrimas Buhain
- Wendy
- Cristy
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Ely Lara
- Julie Manzon, Lournie De Castro, Glenda Bisco
- Vicky Fabella
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of
- Titong V
- Glenn Dale Manzon, Nerissa Amora, John Manzon, Julie and Glenn
Manzon, Ma Fe. and Florante De Castro, Marichu and Churchill Barayoga,
Glenda and Joel Bisco, Mary Ann Castro, Domingo and Fedralyn Barayoga,
Estileta and Salvador Escamilla
…In Thanksgiving:
- Manzon Family
- Barayoga Family
... Birthday: Evelyn Brown
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Thomas Sy. Eternal rest grant
unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and all the
dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Bheverlie T. Semitara
- Wedding Anniversary: Patrick & Mary Ann Leh
… 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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