DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 8, 2011
SATURDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – YEAR I

Readings: 1 Jn 5:14-21/ Ps 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9 / Jn 3:22-30

1 JOHN 5:14-21
Through him we are fully confident that whatever we ask, according to
his will, he will grant us. If we know that he hears us whenever we
ask, we know that we already have what we asked of him. If you see
your brother committing sin, a sin which does not lead to death, pray
for him, and God will give life to your brother. I speak, of course,
of the sin which does not lead to death. There is also a sin that
leads to death; I do not speak of praying about this. Every kind of
wrongdoing is sin, but not all sin leads to death. We know that those
born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them
and the evil one does not touch them. We know that we belong to God,
while the whole world lies in evil. We know that the Son of God has
come and has given us power to know the truth. We are in him who is
true, his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. My
dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

JOHN 3:22-30
Jesus went into the territory of Judea with his disciples. He stayed
there with them and baptized. John was also baptizing in Aenon near
Salim where water was plentiful; people came to him and were baptized.
This happened before John was put in prison. Now John's disciples had
been questioned by a Jew about spiritual cleansing, so they came to
him and said, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, and
about whom you spoke favorably, is now baptizing and all are going to
him. John answered, "No one can take on anything except what has been
given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said: `I
am not the Christ but I have been sent before him.' Only the
bridegroom has the bride; but the friend of the bridegroom stands by
and listens, and rejoices to hear the bridegroom's voice. My joy is
now full. It is necessary that he increase but that I decrease."

REFLECTION
John the Baptist knew his personal vocation. He said, "A man can lay
claim only to what is given him from heaven." He knew his calling was
to bear witness to Jesus and to bring others to him. In and through
his life, he prepared many to recognize Jesus and to welcome him into
their lives.

In true humility, John the Baptist also knew that all glory is for
Jesus and not for himself. He was discerning enough not to be carried
away by his disciples' thinking, that they should not accept Jesus as
the Christ even though they knew he `bore witness' to him. John the
Baptist again `bore witness' to Jesus Christ to his disciples. He knew
that to focus on ourselves and our glory is to worship "false gods."

John the Baptist's purpose in life was fulfilled in the coming of
Jesus Christ. Hearing from his disciples that Jesus was being known
and accepted as Christ the "Bridegroom," made his joy complete. He
joyfully understood that Jesus had to "grow greater." John the Baptist
knew and accomplished his personal mission. How many of us know our
personal vocation or mission?

Each of us is created and chosen by God for a purpose — to know Him,
to love Him and to serve Him. Each of us has a unique personal
vocation to bear witness to Jesus Christ through our lives and to lead
others to him. In and through our lives, Jesus Christ must be
glorified; our joy is complete only when others welcome Jesus Christ
into their lives.

Do our lives bear witness to Jesus Christ? How many of us have
discerned our personal vocation?

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
- Susan
… for the personal intentions of Josheil Dapo
… In Thanksgiving: Renan & Jo Lacida
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Marcela Sim. 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.
- Wedding Anniversary: Boy & Cora Morando
- In Memoriam (+): Eugenia Guieb Castillo
- In Memoriam (+): Chan Chin Sing
- In Memoriam (+): Maxima Lucas Reyes
… 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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