DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 13, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. HILARY, BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
THURSDAY 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Readings: Heb 3:7-14 / Ps 95:6-7, 8-9, 10-11/ Mk 1:40-45

HEBREWS 3:7-14
Listen to what the Holy Spirit says: If only you would hear God's
voice today! Do not be stubborn, as they were in the place called
Rebellion, when your ancestors challenged me in the desert, although
they had seen my deeds for forty years. That is why I was angry with
those people and said: Their hearts are always going astray and they
do not understand my ways. I was angry and made a solemn vow: They
will never enter my rest. So, brothers, be careful lest some of you
come to have an evil and unbelieving heart that falls away from the
living God. Encourage one another, day by day, as long as it is called
today. Let no one become hardened in the deceitful way of sin. We are
associated with Christ provided we hold steadfastly to our initial
hope until the end.

MARK 1:40-45
A leper came to Jesus and begged him, "If you so will, you can make me
clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him,
saying, "I will; be clean." The leprosy left the man at once and he
was made clean. As Jesus sent the man away, he sternly warned him,
"Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest
and for the cleansing bring the offering ordered by Moses; in this way
you will make your declaration." However, as soon as the man went out,
he began spreading the news everywhere, so that Jesus could no longer
openly enter any town. But even though he stayed in the rural areas,
people came to him from everywhere.

REFLECTION
In Jesus' time, leprosy was one of the most dreaded diseases. Thus
lepers had to live on the outskirts of the towns, far from the
population.

Jewish religion looked upon leprosy as God's punishment, a kind of
physical impurity which is a symbol of sin. To the Jews, lepers were
unclean so they were not allowed to enter the city, the synagogue and
the Temple. They always had their faces covered and whenever a healthy
person came close to them unknowingly, they had to announce their
presence as a way of warning.

We find in today's Gospel a leper who dared approach Jesus asking him
for healing saying, "If you so will, you can make me clean." Such
faith! The leper believed that Jesus could make him clean. And his
request was instantly rewarded when Jesus said," I will. Be clean."

Are we capable of feeling compassion when someone comes to us for help
especially the so-called rejects of our society? A lot of people need
us, not only for material help but for our healing compassion as well.
Let us not reject them.

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
- Marge, John C, Rita M, KD, Kristi MS, Maria PA, Pam, Marge G
- Med Villanueva
- Marlon Llamas
- Josheil Dapo
- Trinna
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Marcela Sim
- 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: Onic Catindig
- In Memoriam (+): Ignacio Yang
… 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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