DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 29, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. THOMAS BECKET, BISHOP & MARTYR
THURSDAY, OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS – YEAR I

1 Jn 2: 3-11 / Ps 96: 1-2, 2-3, 5-6 / Lk 2: 22-35

1 JOHN 2: 3-11
How can we know that we know him? If we fulfill his commands. If you
say, "I know him," but do not fulfill his commands, you are a liar and
the truth is not in you. But if you keep his word, God's love is made
complete in you. This is how we know that we are in him: he who claims
to live in him must live as he lived. My dear friends, I am not
writing you a new commandment, but reminding you of an old one, one
you had from the beginning. This old commandment is the word you have
heard. But, in a way, I give it as a new commandment that is true in
him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true
light already shines. If you claim to be in the light but hate your
brother, you are still in darkness. If you love your brothers and
sisters, you remain in the light and nothing in you will make you
fall. But if you hate your brother you are in the dark and walk in
darkness without knowing where you go, for the darkness has blinded
you.

LUKE 2:22-35
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 written 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."

REFLECTION
Mary and Joseph, God-fearing and God-loving couple, knowing their
duty, went to Jerusalem in compliance with the Law of Moses. After
eight days, the child was circumcised and was called Jesus, the name
given to him by the angel before conception. When they presented him
to the Lord, his parents offered two young pigeons.

The Holy Spirit inspired Simeon, a righteous and devout man, to go to
the temple at this time. Simeon took the child and blessed God. "mine
eyes have seen your salvation a light you will reveal to the nations
and the glory of your people of Israel." (Lk 2:30-30) Jesus' parents
marveled at what Simeon had said and more so when he addressed Mary,
"He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce
your own soul" (Lk 2: 34-35) Nothing more is said about how the
parents felt, but we know from experience how hard and frightening it
must have been to hear such a blessing.

Some of us might have experienced hurtful remarks. How did we take
them? Our usual reaction is to get angry or to answer back with
hurtful words too. Should it be that way? Rather as the Psalmist
sings: "Sing to the Lord a new song, bless Him name, tell of his
salvation from day to day declare his works among all peoples" (Ps 96:
1-6) Like the couple, Joseph and Mary, we offer all to the Lord.

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 soul 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: Danilo Ravello
- In Memoriam (+): Juanita Limqueco+
… 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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

© 2011 Daily-Homily