DAILY- HOMILY

DECEMBER 14, 2011
MEMORIAL, ST JOHN OF THE CROSS, PRIEST, DOCTOR
WEDNESDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 45:6-8, 18, 21-25 / Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 / Lk 7:18-23

ISAIAH 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
So that, from the rising to the setting of the sun, all may know that
there is no one besides me; I am Yahweh, and there is no other. I form
the light and create the dark; I usher in prosperity and bring
calamity. I, Yahweh, do all this. Let the heavens send righteousness
like dew and the clouds rain it down. Let the earth open and salvation
blossom, so that justice also may sprout; I, Yahweh, have created it.
Yes, this is what Yahweh says, he who created the heavens, —for he is
God, who formed and shaped the earth, —for he himself set it: "I did
not let confusion in it, I wanted people to live there instead" —for I
am Yahweh and there is no other. Let them present their arguments take
counsel together and tell me: Who announced this from the beginning,
who foretold it in the distant past? Is it not me Yahweh? There is no
other God besides me, a Savior, a God of justice, there is no other
one but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you from the ends of the
earth, for I am God and there is no other. By my own self I swear it,
and what comes from my mouth is truth, a word I say will not be
revoked. Before me every knee will bend, by me every tongue will
swear, saying, "In Yahweh alone are righteousness and strength." All
who have raged against him will come to him in shame. But through
Yahweh there will be victory and glory to the people of Israel.

LUKE 7:18-23
The disciples of John gave him all this news. So he called two of them
and sent them to the Lord with this message, "Are you the one we are
expecting, or should we wait for another?" These men came to Jesus and
said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask you: Are you the one we are to
expect, or should we wait for another?" At that time Jesus healed many
people of their sicknesses or diseases; he freed them from evil
spirits and he gave sight to the blind. Then he answered the
messengers, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the
blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear,
the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news. Now,
listen: Fortunate are those who encounter me, but not for their
downfall."

REFLECTION
Jesus' authority was challenged by the chief priests and religious
elders in today's Gospel reading. But no one can ever challenge
Christ's authority and win. Take a look at the historical setting in
which the story in today's first reading took place. It happened near
the end of the lsraelites' 40-year journey through the desert. Balaam
had been hired by Balak, the king of the Moabites, to defeat the
Israelites by sorcery since Balak knew he could not defeat them by
arms. So Balaam set out to put a curse on them, but each time he
tried, God convinced him to pronounce a blessing instead. Balaam then
warned Balak that no matter what he tried, the Israelites would defeat
them anyway because of a great king Jesus who would come in the
distant future.

We might want Jesus to come and rescue us from our troubles today, but
his timing is always perfect, beyond our understanding. While we wait,
we can take courage and find the joy of Christmas by realizing that no
matter how bad life seems to get, no matter how much the evil one
tries to defeat us, we will become the victors through Jesus.

Today, prepare for Christmas by exchanging the gift of victory with
Jesus. Give him our dried-up gardens of hope. Give him our blocked
rivers of joy. Give him everything that is not yet under his kingship.
Jesus has the authority to get what he wants. And what does he want?
He wants us to be filled with hope and joy! He wants us to live in the
victory he already gained for us on the Cross.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Chief SamRose Anyaugo
- Francis Santos
- Julie Manzon
- Glenn Manzon
- Jovelyn Ureta
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr. Ugonna Anyaugo; Mr Ogechi Anyaugo; Barr Obinna Okoronkwo; Barr
(Mrs) Adaugo Barbara Okoronkwo; Ifeanyi Mathias Anyaugo; Chuba
Osinachi Anyaugo; Ezinne Cordelia C Anyaugo; Cordelia
- Pauline
- Cherie Torres
- Tess
- Lordy Fernandez
- Julie and Glenn Manzon
- Ma.Fe and Florante De Castro
- Mary Ann Castro
- Glenn and Joel Bisco
- Estelita Escamilla and Salvador Escamilla
- Fe Edralyn and Domingo Barayoga Jr.
- Josheil Dapo
… In Memoriam: Madrono Abis, Jr.
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Serafia Manalili Laquian
- Ernesto F. Singson Jr.
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: Chickiamco Paolo
- Birthday: Ricky & Juanmi Jacinto
- Birthday: Hubert See Co
- Birthday: Ma. Victoria Pecho
- Wedding Anniversary: Carlos & Lynda Lao
- In Memoriam (+): FBJ - 6th Death Anniversary
… 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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