Sunday, February 20, 2011
MONDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I
MEMORIAL, ST. PETER DAMIAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR
MONDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I
Sir 1:1-10 / Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 / Mk 9:14-29
SIRACH 1:1-10
All wisdom comes from the Lord and endures with him forever. The
grains of sand, the drops of rain and the days of eternity, who can
count them? The height of heaven, the extent of the earth and the
depths of the abyss, who can measure them? Wisdom was created before
all things and the prudent intellect before the beginning of time. To
whom was the source of Wisdom revealed? Who has known her secret
designs? One alone is wise and greatly to be feared. The One who is
seated upon his throne. The Lord himself created Wisdom. He looked on
her and knew her value. He poured her out over all his works; upon all
mortal beings, in accordance with his goodness. He lavished her on
those who love him.
MARK 9:14-29
When the people saw Jesus, they were astonished and ran to greet him.
He asked, "What are you arguing about with them?" A man answered him
from the crowd, "Master, I brought my son to you for he has a dumb
spirit. Whenever the spirit seizes him, it throws him down and he
foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all over. I
asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not."
Jesus replied, "You faithless people. How long must I be with you? How
long must I put up with you? Bring him to me." As soon as the spirit
saw Jesus, it shook and convulsed the boy who fell on the ground and
began rolling about, foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus asked the
father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "From
childhood. If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus
said to him, "Why do you say: `If you can?' All things are possible
for one who believes." Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I
do believe, but help the little faith I have." So he ordered the evil
spirit, "Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you: Leave the boy and never
enter him again." The evil spirit shook and convulsed the boy and with
a terrible shriek came out. The boy lay like a corpse and people said,
"He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him and the
boy stood up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him
privately, "Why couldn't we drive out the spirit?" And he answered,
"Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else."
REFLECTION
The cure of the boy possessed by an evil spirit contrasts the
disciple's lack of power and the power of Jesus. Obviously, Jesus is
suffering. His words express discouragement; he is alone,
misunderstood, unrecognized. Even his disciples have no faith. At this
point, Jesus is anxious to be away from this unbearable company. This
makes us enter into the soul of Jesus. We see him as man who feels
discouraged.
What Jesus requires of us is faith. Faith is what he asks of the
people around him. His great suffering is to be surrounded by people
who do not believe, when he knows how many marvels faith could work
out for them.
The boy's father guesses this, and on the prompting of Jesus, makes an
admirable profession of faith. The father's faith is filled with
humility. He says: "Yes, I believe. But Lord, do increase my weak
faith, for I feel that I do not believe enough." The power of faith is
equal to the power of prayer. Humble faith and prayer can free us from
this anxiety. Unless we pray regularly, we shall not have the faith
and the consequent power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the evils
around us.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the personal intentions of Flora B
… In Memoriam: Jesus Yap
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Esperanza Castello
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: Gregory Noah N. Kaw
- Birthday: Ma. Cristina Jose
- Birthday: Ato Sim
- Wedding Anniversary: Anita & Godfrey Lim Pek Chuan
- Wedding Anniversary: Ed & Jojo Tanhui, M.D.
- In Memoriam (+): Vicente Dychiao
… 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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