DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 3, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST
SATURDAY 1ST WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 30:19-21, 23-26 / Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 / Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8

ISAIAH 30:19-21, 23-26
O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. When
you cry, he will listen; when he hears, he will answer. When the Lord
has given you the bread of anguish and the water of distress, he, your
teacher will hide no longer. Your own eyes will see him, and your ear
will listen to his words behind you: "This is the way, walk in it." He
will then give rain for the seed you sow and make the harvest abundant
from the crops you grow. On that day your cattle will graze in wide
pastures. Your beasts of burden will eat silage tossed to them with
pitchfork and shovel. For on the day of the great slaughter, when
fortresses fall, streams of water will flow on every mountain and
lofty hill. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and
the light of the sun seven times greater, like the light of seven
days, when Yahweh binds up the wounds of his people and heals the
bruises inflicted by his blows.

MATTHEW 9:35—10:1, 5A, 6–8
Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and he cured
every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds he was moved with
pity, for they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but
the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send
workers to gather his harvest." Then he called his twelve disciples to
him and gave them authority over the unclean spirits to drive them out
and to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus sent these twelve on
mission with the instruction: "Do not visit pagan territory and do not
enter a Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the people of
Israel. "Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.
Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and
drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift."

REFLECTION
We just heard Jesus say in today's Gospel reading: ""The harvest is
abundant but the workers are only few." Usually when we hear this
Gospel reading we think of the vocation of priests and religious; that
the Lord is calling for more priests and religious. During the time of
the early Church, there were no religious and priests as we know them
today. Hence these words of Jesus were addressed to all the Christians
of the community of Matthew for whom this Gospel was writ ten.

Even today, Jesus is calling each one of us to be witnesses to the
Good News. We look around and see the magnitude of the world's
problems. Hunger, hostility, natural disasters, crime, war, these are
just some of the more publicized problems. How about cheating,
disloyalty, disrespect, hostility towards religion? These are what
affect many in our society today. If these negative traits and habits
are not put into check, our world will continue to backslide.

Many of us need the constant reminder of Jesus' love. As Christians,
we should be motivated by his love, kindness and compassion for others
which will lead us to share our faith with them. Without a commitment,
we shall be merely carrying out a duty, and this will never bear much
fruit. We can easily despair when others criticize us of our actions.
Yet Jesus does not want us to be discouraged and apathetic. He knows
that the harvest is plentiful and he has prepared the ground for us to
be fruitful in our apostolate. We should develop a bold confidence to
transform and renew people and society. We must not be ashamed of the
Gospel but ask for the grace to be courageous and effective witnesses
to the Good News.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Samrose Anyaugo
- Ralph Shotswell
- Inigo Javillo
- Nathan Javillo
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr Ugonna Anyaugo, Mr Ogechi Anyaugo, 'Barr (Mrs) Barbara Okoronkwo,
Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Eng Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuba Anyaugo
- Josheil Dapo
- Berna Javillo
- Michael Jones, Joanne McGuire, Tammy Modica, Kathy Taylor, Terry
Modica
- Pauline
- Carlos and Emma Q
… In Memoriam: Gloria Orbin
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Teodora Baluca, Sr.
- Silvestre Monay, Sr.
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: Leonida G. Casiano
- Birthday: Cathy Diokno
- Birthday: Pauline M. Villaflor
… 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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