DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 31, 2011
THURSDAY 3RD WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

Jer 7:23-28 /Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 / Lk 11:14-23

JEREMIAH 7:23-28
One thing I did command them: Listen to my voice and I will be your
God and you will be my people. Walk in the way I command you and all
will be well with you. But they did not listen and paid no attention;
they followed the bad habits of their stubborn heart and turned away
from me. From the time I brought their forebearers out of Egypt until
this day I have continually sent them my servants, the prophets, but
this stiff-necked people did not listen. They paid no atten¬tion and
were worse than their forebearers. You may say all these things to
them but they will not listen; you will call them but they will not
answer. This is a nation that did not obey Yahweh and refused to be
disciplined; truth has perished and is no longer heard from their
lips.

LUKE 11:14-23
One day Jesus was driving out a dumb demon. When the demon had been
driven out, the mute person could speak, and the people were amazed.
Yet some of them said, "He drives out demons by the power of
Beelzebul, the chief of the demons." So others wanted to put him to
the test by asking him for a heavenly sign. But Jesus knew their
thoughts and said to them, "Every nation divided by civil war is on
the road to ruin, and will fall. If Satan also is divided, his empire
is coming to an end. How can you say that I drive out demons by
calling upon Beelzebul? If I drive them out by Beelzebul, by whom do
your fellow members drive out demons? They will be your judges, then.
But suppose I drive out demons by the finger of God; would not this
mean that the kingdom of God has come upon you? As long as the strong
and armed man guards his house, his goods are safe. But when a
stronger one attacks and overcomes him, the challenger takes away all
the weapons he relied on and disposes of his spoils. Whoever is not
with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scat
ters."

REFLECTION
The first reading tells us how God's people have turned their backs to
Him. They were stubborn and followed their own inclinations even if
God had sent them prophets but they did not listen to them. In the
same way the Gospel shows how unbelieving the people were of Jesus
even if they had witnessed how successfully he cast out a devil from a
dumb man.

These situations are not uncommon today even among us Christians. We
listen to the word of God during mass but do we live it? We may not
express our unbelief in words but we show it in our actions. We do not
follow what we hear. Instead of giving and sharing especially with the
poor, we acquire and hoard. Instead of forgiving, we seek revenge.
Instead of speaking the truth, we just keep quiet to save our skin or
because we just don't want to get involved.

The slogan of one senatorial candidate goes: "Gusto ko happy ka." (I
want you to be happy.) Isn't that the same as God's invitation for
each one of us… to be happy? So aren't we going to choose Him over the
devil? The choice is ours.

The season of Lent again reminds us of the supreme sacrifice Jesus did
for us to save us from death of sin. It is not too late to change our
ways.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Helen Marx
- Tessa C. Yang
- Gabriela Garber, Bruce Clyde, Molly DeSimone, Nestle Joy Escaro,
Carol K., Lori Ramalho, Diane Hayes, Maria Martin Asunsion, Jody
Bruno, Gerald Stutts, Patrick Wheeler, Mike Grady, Fr. Patrick McHugh,
Robert Bohne Atticus, Charlie, Stephanie Boen, Deanne, Gerald
McClellan, Angela, John Sinclare, Honga Yap
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
… for the personal intentions of:
- Glenda Bisco, Estelita Manzanilla, Julie Manzon, Glenn Dale Manzon,
John Dale Manzon, Glenn Manzon
- Mary Wong
… Thanksgiving: Manzon Family and Barayoga Family
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Sister Bertilla, Muriel Cullen, Sarah Bingham, Sr. Mary Roth, Baby
Caylee, Linda Tamborino, Paul Reed, Anita Fuller, Freddie Rincon,
Carlton Hokama, Rosendo Vivdanes, Darren George's mother, Harold
Figueroa, Dennis Daniel, Nadine Williams, Ron Olguin, Doris Guzman,
Fred Truitt, Louie DeLeva, John Rose, Ronald Weurch, Harold Cochran,
Annie May Ishman, and Msgr Michael Lenihan
- Josefina Hong
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: Milton Villafuerte
- Birthday: Dolores Abo-ol
- Thanksgiving: Jeffrey, Gloria, Justin Gian Real
- In Memoriam (+): Leticia Tung
… 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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