DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 7, 2011
FRIDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – YEAR I

Readings: 1 Jn 5:5-13 / Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 / Lk 5:12-16

1 JOHN 5:5-13
Who has overcome the world? The one who believes that Jesus is the Son
of God. Jesus Christ was acknowledged through water, but also through
blood. Not only water but water and blood. And the Spirit, too,
witnesses to him for the Spirit is truth. There are then three
testimonies: the Spirit, the water and the blood, and these three
witnesses agree. If we accept human testimony, with greater reason
must we accept that of God, given in favor of his Son. If you believe
in the Son of God, you have God's testimony in you. But those who do
not believe make God a liar, since they do not believe his words when
he witnesses to his Son. What has God said? That he has granted us
eternal life and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has
life, the one who do not have the Son of God do not have life. I write
you, then, all these things that you may know that you have eternal
life, all you who believe in the Name of the Son of God.

LUKE 5:12-16
One day in another town, a man came to Jesus covered with leprosy. On
seeing him he bowed down to the ground, and said, "Lord, if you want
to, you can make me clean." Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched the
man and said, "Yes, I want it. Be clean." In an instant the leprosy
left him. Then Jesus instructed him, "Tell this to no one. But go and
show yourself to the priest. Make an offering for your healing, as
Moses prescribed; that should be a proof to the people." But the news
about Jesus spread all the more, and large crowds came to him to
listen and be healed of their sickness. As for Jesus, he would often
withdraw to solitary places and pray.

REFLECTION
Under the laws of Moses, leprosy was considered a contagious impurity,
a sign of the wrath of God as in the case of the Egyptians who were
stricken with it when they refused to release Israel from bondage. The
cure of Naaman, a pagan army commander, was a sign of divine favor or
miracle. When Jesus healed the leper, he not only abolished the
distinction between the pure and the impure but he also announced that
he is the Messiah who has dominion over all kinds of sickness. When
the 12 disciples were sent out on their missions, signs and miracles,
including healing, accompanied their preaching. This was to show that
the kingdom of God was at hand.

Scientific breakthroughs have changed the outlook on leprosy because
it is now medically treatable. But internal leprosy caused by sin is
more serious. Sin can only be healed by the forgiveness of Jesus who
is only waiting to be approached. When the leper in today's Gospel
came to Jesus to ask to be cleansed, Jesus right away said, "I am
willing. Be cleansed."

If leprosy were a sign of sin, then this would make all of us lepers
for we are all sinners. Do we want to be healed of our leprosy? Jesus
is waiting and he is only too willing to cleanse us.

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, John Lawrence
- Vicky Fabella
- Susan
…In Thanksgiving: Renan & Jo Lacida
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Charelyn G. Tungcul
- Birthday: B. Patrick S. Syling
- Birthday: Mother Stella Salao, OP
- Wedding Anniversary: Tyrone & Letty Tang
- Thanksgiving: Prime Spots Inc.
- Prayer Intention: Dionisio Ang
- Prayer Intention: Robert Ang
- Prayer Intention: Johnson Cuiting
… 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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