DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 10, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST. ROMARIC, ABBOT
SATURDAY 2ND WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 / Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 / Mt 17:9a, 10-13

SIRACH 48:1-4, 9-11
Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.
He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them
reduced in number. Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the
heavens, and on three occasions called down fire. How marvelous you
were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being
your equal? You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot
drawn by fiery horses. It was written that you should be the one to
calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn
the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of
Jacob. Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for
we too shall live.

MATTHEW 17: 9A, 10-13
As they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell
anyone what they had just seen, until the Son of Man be raised from
the dead. The disciples then asked him, "Why do the teachers of the
Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is:
first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you,
Elijah has already come, but they did not recognize him, and treated
him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."
Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the
Baptist.

REFLECTION
The Advent season reminds us that God has promised to restore all that
was lost by sin and to make all things new again. The prophets were
sent to draw people back to God and to his way of holiness and
justice. Elijah was one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets.
He demonstrated that Yahweh is the one true God, and drew many of the
Israelites back to true worship of the Lord.

It was in this "spirit of Elijah" that John the Baptist came, igniting
people's hear ts with a passion for holiness. Preaching repentance, he
prepared Israel for the Messiah, even when it meant speaking out
against King Herod and put ting his own life at risk. Like Elijah,
John is best known for the bold and passionate way he followed the
Lord.

The message of Elijah tells us that our God is the one true God. The
message of John the Baptist reminds us to repent for the day of the
Lord is upon us. These messages from the two powerful prophets are as
important today as it was during their time.

Let us ask ourselves: Do we place God first in our lives? Or have we
made other things into gods? Repentance for one's sins is necessary
for those who wish to remain faithful to God. Do we take the need to
repent seriously?

Every baptized Christian is called to share in the prophetic mission
of Elijah and John the Baptist. Through the gifts and workings of the
Holy Spirit, each one of us can become restorers of God's holiness and
justice in the world. God has a role for each one of us in our daily
lives; He is ever ready to transform us and fill us with His love and
compassion.

Let us continue to draw close to Him this Advent season, asking Him to
teach us how to become His prophets to the rest of the world.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Eden Batuto
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Ely Lara
- Francis Santos
- Baby Diam Dy
… for the personal intentions of Titong V
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Ma. Lourdes Lao Jucutan
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: Loreto T. Reyes
- Birthday: Paula O'Gorman
- Birthday: Jimmy O. Tee
- Wedding Anniversary: Manny And Dory Gutierrez
… 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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