DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 23, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. TURIBIUS DE MONGROVEJO, BISHOP
WEDNESDAY 2ND WEEK OF LENT – YEAR I

Jer 18:18-20 / Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16 / Mt 20:17-28

JEREMIAH 18:18-20
Then, they said, "Come, let us plot against Jeremiah, for even without
him, there will be priests to interpret the Teachings of the Law;
there will always be wisemen to impart counsel and prophets to
proclaim the word. Come, let us accuse him and strike him down instead
of listening to what he says." Hear me, O Yahweh! Listen to what my
accusers say. Is evil the reward for good? Why do they dig a grave for
me? Remember how I stood before you to speak well on their behalf so
that your anger might subside.

MATTHEW 20:17-28
When Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside and said
to them on the way, "See, we are going to Jerusalem. There the Son of
Man will be given over to the chief priests and the teachers of the
Law who will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the
foreigners who will mock him, scourge him and crucify him. But he will
be raised to life on the third day." Then the mother of James and John
came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor. Jesus
said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my
two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your
left, when you are in your kingdom." Jesus said to the brothers, "You
do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about
to drink?" They answered, "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed
drink my cup, but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to
grant. That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it."
The other ten heard all this and were angry with the two brothers.
Then Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of
the nations act as tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall
not be so among you; whoever wants to be more important in your group
shall make himself your servant. And if you want to be first, make
yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man who has come, not
to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

REFLECTION
Jesus most probably knew the inevitable consequence of the new ideas
he was preaching, the radical structure change he was advocating. He
had a feeling that those who were in charge felt threatened because
they were calling him a troublemaker. In a society governed by strict
Jewish laws and traditional practices, the kingdom of love, of sublime
tolerance, was something these puritans could not comprehend.

Being the forward thinker that he was, Jesus related to his disciples
that forces were amassing against him. He wanted his followers to be
prepared for the inevitable. Even if the final outcome of his earthly
life would brutally be cut short, it was the glory to follow where
they can place their hope. His mission was to continue through them
and this included planning for whatever the future would bring their
way.

That's how it is to be a good leader. In spite of the impending
challenges, even if you fear for the safety of your team, you have to
trust in God that they will be okay. All you can do is equip them with
your wisdom and your training. Hopefully, that will guide them to
handle any situation. Your orders are followed out of love, not fear.
Your group knows they can count on you even if you cannot be
physically present. You've helped them to lead themselves.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Ferdinand T. Laxamana
- Marge, Irene C, KD, Kristin, Maria, John C, Frank & Gene
- Pamela, Juday, Darlita, Godofredo, Lydia & Jennette
- Teodora Amaranto, Fernando Ma Nlangit, Roselyn Cagadas, Jason
Ortile
- Dr. Pepe Nebre
… for the personal intentions of:
- Mary Wong
- Nick
- Med Villanueva
- Louie Relatado
- Nabua and family
- Pe Aguirre family
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Gloria Punsalan. Eternal rest
grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all
the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Beatrix Atienza
- Wedding Anniversary: Raul & Susan Aquino
- In Memoriam (+): Peter Ong, Sr.
… 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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