DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 23, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. JOHN OF KANTY, PRIEST
FRIDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 / Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 / Lk 1:57-66

MALACHI 3:1-4, 23-24
Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then
suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The
envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says
Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain
standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and
like the lye used for bleaching. He will be as a refiner or a fuller.
He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.
So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should
be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and
Jerusalem, as in former days. I am going to send you the prophet
Elijah before the day of Yahweh comes, for it will be a great and
terrible day. He will reconcile parents with their children, and the
children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land
when I come."

LUKE 1:57-66
When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her
neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a
wonderful thing for her and they rejoiced with her. When on the eighth
day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to
name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he
shall be called John." They said to her, "No one in your family has
that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name
he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on
it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately
Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.
A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the Hills
of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it
pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be?" For
they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

REFLECTION
The power of speech came back to Zechariah when he was ready to open
his mouth to praise God. The morning prayer of our Church opens with
an invitatory: "O Lord open my lips "and the response is "and my mouth
will proclaim your praise." All creation wants to proclaim the praise
of God. The flowers, trees, birds and creatures all want to cry out to
glorify God, they are all yearning and groaning to cry out the
greatness of God, but God has gifted only man with the power of
speech.

In a way, our mouths were created to give glory and praise to God, and
yet we use our mouths for many purposes other than to praise God.
Sometimes we defame, curse, gossip, eat excessively and spread lies
with our mouths.

The Gospel makes us ponder and underlines the importance of speech.
When and where should we use it? Let us be fierce witnesses of God and
speak about His goodness to all mankind. Let us use our tongues wisely
and do justice to our power of speech.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Anthony Lu
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Cecilia Yu
… for the personal intentions of
- Josheil Dapo
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo
.. for the victims of the floods in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and
their families
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Jo Marcelo. 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: Joan Ross Yao
- Birthday: Joy Chua
- Birthday: Wavery Ng
- Birthday: Joan Ross T. Yao
- Wedding Anniversary: Isao & Peggy Lim Furukawa
… 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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