DAILY- HOMILY

JULY 3, 2011
14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – A

Zech 9:9-10 / Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 / Rom 8:9, 11-13 / Mt
11:25-30

ZECHARIAH 9:9-10
Thus says the Lord: Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout for joy,
daughter of Jerusalem! For your king is coming, just and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. No
more chariots in Ephraim, no more horses in Jerusalem, for he will do
away with them. The warrior's bow shall be broken when he dictates
peace to the nations. He will reign from sea to sea, and from the
River to the ends of the ear th.

ROMANS 8:9, 11-13
Brothers and sisters, your existence is not in the flesh, but in the
spirit, because the Spirit of God is within you. If you did not have
the Spirit of Christ, you would not belong to him. And if the Spirit
of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is within you, He who raised
Jesus Christ from among the dead will also give life to your mortal
bodies. Yes, he will do it through his Spirit who dwells within you.
Then, brothers, let us leave the flesh and no longer live according to
it. If not, we will die. Rather, walking in the Spirit, let us put to
death the body's deeds so that we may live.

MATTHEW 11:25-30
On one occasion Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I
praise you, because you have hidden these things from the wise and
learned and revealed them to simple people. Yes, Father, this is what
pleased you. "Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father. No one
knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except
the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. "Come to me,
all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh
you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and
humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my
burden is light."

REFLECTION
If there is anything that seems so elusive to us yet is something we
all deeply desire, it is none other than peace of mind, heart, and
soul. For in achieving such state, everything else becomes secondary
in importance and significance. One way to realize this dream is to be
rooted in Christ for we know that the peace that he gives is simply
his abiding presence in our lives.

In this regard, the image of the yoke as presented in the Gospel is
indeed apt and fitting. Jesus invites us to go to him and take our
rest in him for his yoke is easy and his burden light. When we think
of a yoke, what comes to mind is a heavy, burdensome and probably
painful piece of wood laid on the shoulders of an ox. Yet, the effect
of such yoke is that this facilitates the work of the ox since it
pulls the weight of the cart behind it more easily. It is then both a
burden and a help. Moreover, another way to understand the image of
the yoke is to consider it as a double yoke, where two oxen can work
together better. This, then, presents a partnership where Jesus and we
yoke together, pulling together. "Shoulder our yoke" then becomes
"Share our yoke." Where we go, he goes along with us, pulling together
with us and making it all the easier.

There are times and events in life when we undergo crises that many
questions are raised with no clear answers. How do we explain such
incidents especially when this is tragic and altogether absurd? Yet,
amidst such trials, the pain and suffering are somehow eased with the
loving support and presence of our loved ones. In some mysterious way,
we are given the strength to pick up the pieces and move on.

In this regard, the second reading from the letter of Paul to the
Romans makes sense. It is the Spirit of Jesus that dwells within us
and gives us life. On our own efforts, we will not be able to cope
well with such trying experiences in life. The Spirit is the only one
that can get us out of our grief and depression and to continue to
believe that Jesus will never forsake and abandon us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Rolando Madrona
- Julie Manzon
- Estelita Escamilla
- Ditas dela Paz
- Jo Marcelo
- Wally Torres
- Gary Morillo
- Fr. Luis Sierra, OP
… for the personal intentions of
- Julie and Glenn Manzon
- Glenn Bisco
- Estelita Escamilla
- Ma. Fe De Castro
- Mary Ann Castro
- Domingo Barayoga Jr.
- Churchill Barayoga
- Edwin and Jeremy Victorino
- Marites Pinon
…In Thanksgiving: Manzon and Barayoga Family
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Domingo Barayoga Sr., Lourdes Barayoga, Charlie Castro, Ms. Fely
Dumaran
- Aladino Dasas, Jr.
- Arturo Dy+
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: Billie Gan
- Wedding Anniversary: Patrick & Jershanale Sy
- In Memoriam (+): Douglas L. Abadco (1955-2007)
- In Memoriam (+): Joanna Choa (Oct 29,1914 - July 3, 2008)
… 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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