DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 30, 2011
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
FRIDAY, OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS – YEAR I

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 / Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 / Col 3:12-21 / Lk 2:22-40

SIRACH 3:2-6, 12-14
For the Lord established that children should respect their father;
he confirmed the right of the mother over her children. Whoever honors
his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother
prepares a treasure for himself. Whoever honors his father will
receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays.
Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the
Lord gives com fort to his mother. My child, take care of your father
in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives. Even if
he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him
while you are in full health. For kindness done to one's father will
never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.

LUKE 2:22-40
When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses,
they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as
it is writ ten in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be
consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law
of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. There lived
in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon;
the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the
Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit
that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was
led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought
the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law.
Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, "Now, O
Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled
your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for
all the people to see. Here is the light you will reveal to the
nations and the glory of your people Israel." His father and mother
wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and
said to Mary, his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise or fall of
the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction,
while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of
many may be brought to light." There was also a prophetess named Anna,
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. After leaving her father's
home, she had been seven years with her husband, and since then she
had been continually about the Temple, serving God as a widow night
and day in fasting and prayer. She was now eighty-four. Coming up at
that time, she gave praise to God and spoke of the child to all who
looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When the parents had
fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned
to their town, Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew in stature
and strength and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon
him.

REFLECTION
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is the model for all
families. It has three basic ingredients that make up for a happy and
harmonious family life. Firstly, in every family, God must be put in
the center. Every child must be taught early on about God's love,
mercy, generosity, kindness, etc. Consequently, every child must be
taught the value of praying to God. In the traditional Jewish family
during the time of Jesus, the Scriptures were also read and explained
to every Jewish boy and girl. Religious education is the foundation of
Christian life.

Secondly, Jesus was taught how to work as a carpenter by Joseph. For
sure, he was accustomed to helping in the house since he was an only
child. Children must be taught the value of industry. We should learn
to use our time wisely and help around the house at a young age. By
doing so, we are laying the foundation for a fruitful future because
we understand the value of work.

Lastly, in the family we learn to love. In this regard, the mother
plays a vital role. Every child must be taught to love himself or
herself and then to love everyone else. Of course children must be
taught what is right and wrong. But over and above the Law, Jesus said
that to love God and others were the most important things to do.
Children who grow up in an atmosphere of love and caring become useful
citizens and, more often than not, spread the love they experienced
when they become adult, from their troubles? Every time we open our
mouths, we have a decision to make. We can either speak good news or
curses; encouragement or complaints.

It is not difficult to be God's prophet. All it takes is a desire to
help. We have good news to share! We don't have to be theologians to
share it. By getting in touch with our own day-to-day need for the
Savior, we can compassionately recognize the needs of others and
respond with the gift of uplifting words that reveal Jesus' saving
power. And by peeking out of the shell of our own self-enclosed worlds
to notice that others have an emptiness that is similar to what Jesus
has healed in us, we can figure out what to say that will make a
difference in their lives. In doing so, we will be pointing them
toward their Redeemer so that they, too, will find his help.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Cecilia Yu
- Gemma
- Ely Lara
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Eden Batuto
… for the personal intentions of
- Titong Villacorta
- Cherie Torres
.. for the victims of the floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and
their families
… In Memoriam: Raymundo S. Katigak
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Avelino Bueno. 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: Rizalito R. Reyes
- Birthday: Allan N. Garcia
- Birthday: Christopher S. Lim
- Birthday: Gloria F. Ragasa
- Wedding Anniversary: Saturina & Lucita Lumboy
- Wedding Anniversary: Leonidas & Adelaida Lombos
- Wedding Anniversary: Joseph & Leslie Peralta
- In Memoriam (+): Narciso Yu, Sr.
- In Memoriam (+): Paz Cabrera Bengson
… for families who are in need of healing
… 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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