DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 20, 2011
TUESDAY 4TH WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 / Lk 1:26-38

ISAIAH 7:10-14
Once again Yahweh addressed Ahaz, "Ask for a sign from Yahweh your
God, let it come either from the deepest depths or from the heights of
heaven." But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask, I will not put Yahweh to
the test." Then Isaiah said, "Now listen, descendants of David. Have
you not been satisfied trying the patience of people, that you also
try the patience of my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a
sign: The Virgin is with child and bears a son and calls his name
Immanuel.

LUKE 1:26-38
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of
Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was
betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the
virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, `Rejoice full
of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words,
wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, "Do not
fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and
bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall
rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the
kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob
forever and his reign shall have no end. Then Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The
Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called
Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old
age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her
six th month. With God nothing is impossible." Then Mary said, "I am
the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And
the angel left her.

REFLECTION
Today's readings speak of Divine intervention and how God affects our
everyday world. In the first reading, Isaiah's discussion of King Ahaz
tells of offer and rejection. God offered a sign to Ahaz to strengthen
his faith during a time when Ahaz's kingdom was being threatened. For
some reason, Ahaz wanted to avoid God's help. His reaction could mask
the stubbornness we sometimes feel. Sometimes, even when we are
anxious or suffering, we prefer the consolation of solitude and
anxiety rather than allowing God to enter into our hearts.

Luke's account of the announcement to Mary reflects a different
reaction to a sign. Mary's humanity is evident during the visitation
by the angel Gabriel, and to the questions she raises. God sent
Gabriel to Nazareth to bring her news and words of comfort to calm her
fears. However, those words were disruptive.

Mary is also given another sign, which is distinct from the angel's
visit. She is told that Elizabeth is pregnant, even though she is
thought to be too old to bear children. Mary is thus shown that
"nothing will be impossible for God." Mary's acceptance of the
visitation and the sign is a reflection of her faith in the promise of
God, in His Love, and in His creative power to bring about His will.

When we are faced with the disruptive creative powers of God in our
lives, let us remember Mary's example of faith.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Shonee Mendoza
- Mitchell, Brian, Michael G, Kristen, Maria, Delores, Linda O, Mary
Ann, Rudy, Frank
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Anthony Lu
… for the personal intentions of
- Pam and Rita, Eugene R and Dana
- Pauline
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Marcus Ng
- Birthday: Ma. Paz K. Fabella
- In Memoriam (+): Mary Yang
… 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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