DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 31, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. SYLVESTER I, POPE
SATURDAY, OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS – YEAR I

1 Jn 2: 18-21 / Ps 96: 1-2, 11-12, 13 / Jn 1: 1-18

1 JOHN 2: 18-21
My dear children, it is the last hour. You were told that an
antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by
which we know that it is now the last hour. They went out from us
though they did not really belong to us. Had they belonged to us, they
would have remained with us. So it became clear that not all of us
were really ours. But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so
that all of you have true wisdom. I write to you, not because you lack
knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have
nothing in common with the truth.

JOHN 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word
was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made
through him and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to
be, found life in him, life which for humans was also light. Light
that shines in the dark: light that darkness could not overcome. A man
came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a
witness to introduce the Light so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light but a witness to introduce the Light. For the
Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens
everyone. He was already in the world and through him the world was
made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet
his own people did not receive him; but all who have received him he
empowers to become children of God for they believe in his Name. These
are born, but without seed or carnal desire or will of man: they are
born of God. And the Word was made flesh; he had his tent pitched
among us, and we have seen his Glory, the Glory of the only Son coming
from the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness. John bore
witness to him openly, saying: This is the one who comes after me, but
he is already ahead of me for he was before me. From his fullness we
have all received, favor upon favor. For God had given us the Law
through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus
Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-Only-Son made him known:
the one who is in and with the Father.

REFLECTION
Jesus pitches His tent among us - becoming fully human. However, as
true as it may be, humans are too stubborn to believe until they see
Him. This brings to the fore our role in spreading the good news to
the world. Just as Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help us, He needs
us to be His witnesses to testify to His Truth and His Teachings.

John came to be a witness to introduce the Light so that all might
believe through him. Like John, each one of us is called constantly by
our Lord Jesus to testify for Him to the rest of the world that they
might believe Christ through us. It is amazing how companies who rely
on door to door marketing grow much faster than a regular brand at a
mall. Somehow, personal testimony of a friend whom we trust provides
us the necessary security to risking our money and buying their
product. Such is the marketing we need to do for Christ — our personal
testimony where our lives at test to God's Truth and Teachings.

For all the abundant blessings God has provided us, witnessing to His
Presence is not asking too much from us. Let this be our New Year's
Motto!

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
… 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: Net Alburquerque
- Birthday: Josefina de Guzman
- Prayer Intention: Castillo Family
- Prayer Intention: Baboorankey
- In Memoriam (+): Felipe Que Chua, M.D.
- In Memoriam (+): Rafael Tansengco
- In Memoriam (+): Ong Huay Kia
… 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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