DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 16, 2011
WEDNESDAY 1ST WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

Jon 3:1-10 / Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 / Lk 11:29-32

JONAH 3:1-10
The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time: "Go to Nineveh, the
great city, and announce to them the message I give you." In obedience
to the word of Yahweh, Jonah went to Nineveh. It was a very large
city, and it took three days just to cross it. So Jonah walked a
single day's journey and began proclaiming, "Forty days more and
Nineveh will be destroyed." The people of the city believed God. They
declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put
on sackcloth. Upon hearing the news, the king of Nineveh got up from
his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in
ashes. He issued a proclamation throughout Nineveh: "By the decree of
the king and his nobles, no people or beasts, herd or flock, will
taste anything; neither will they eat nor drink. But let people and
beasts be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call aloud to God, turn
from his evil ways and violence. Who knows? God may yet relent, turn
from his fierce anger and spare us." When God saw what they did and
how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not
carry out the destruction he had threatened upon them.

LUKE 11:29-32
As the crowd increased, Jesus began to speak in this way, "People of
the present time are evil people. They ask for a sign, but no sign
will be given to them except the sign of Jonah. As Jonah became a sign
for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this
generation. The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with
the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends
of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here there is greater
than Solomon. The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with
the people of these times and accuse them, for Jonah's preaching made
them turn from their sins, and here there is greater than Jonah."

REFLECTION
When we watch that TV show featuring crime scene investigators, it's
quite fascinating to see what gadgets and theories they present to
recreate how the perpetrator committed the nefarious act. This is all
in the course of gathering evidence and submitting proof that the
alleged crime did in fact take place. Justice for the victim is the
end in mind.

Evidence must be presented to support submitted allegations. Without
proof, how can it be considered as something that actually happened?
This is the normal course in judicial proceedings and among day-to-day
dealings as well. Signatures must be presented to indicate agreement.
Other exhibits are documented so that no one can question if the
situation is spurious or not.

Jesus would rather have his followers take it as it is. Jonah was sent
to the Ninevites. Solomon ruled Israel wisely for a certain period.
But, both these historical figures cannot be compared to the Messiah
who is right in front of them. If they need a sign so that they will
believe, maybe that won't be enough.

Perhaps we are luckier in that sense. There is no actual physical
manifestation of Christ himself right in front of us. Yet, we still
choose to be guided by his teachings, to live our lives according to
his example. Dancing suns, statues crying tears of blood, hosts that
magically appear on the tongues of visionaries, may make exciting
headlines for tabloids. For the faithful, the love of God is more than
enough. The only sign is our reformed lives and our quiet, kind, and
genuine concern for each other.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Pepe Nebres
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
- Victor G. Lorenzo
- Ferdinand T. Laxamana
… for the personal intentions of:
- Flora B
- Nabua E.
- Beng and Nina, Ginny and Bong, Benny and Leah
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Santiago, Petronila,
Emmanuel, Antonio, Violeta. 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: Lim Sharon
- Birthday: Rhea R. Reyes
- Birthday: Julie C. Trillana
- Wedding Anniversary: Wilson & Rosie Gosingco
… for all those affected by natural disasters
… 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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