DAILY- HOMILY: 12/15/11

DAILY- HOMILY

DAILY-HOMILY is a Catholic-based Scripture and Homily Reflections. It is a great source for scripture readings, homilies and reflections for Weekdays, Sundays and Holydays of Obligation. Subscribe to this list and you will receive a free, informed, down to earth and illustrated homilies focusing on the readings on Weekday & Sunday Masses, Liturgical Services or personal reflection. And best of all it's a FREE service. To subscribe or unsubscribe send email to: dailyhomily@gmail.com

Thursday, December 15, 2011

FRIDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

DECEMBER 16, 2011
FRIDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 56:1-3, 6-8 / Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8 / Jn 5:33-36

ISAIAH 56:1-3, 6-8
This is what Yahweh says: Maintain what is right and do what is just,
for my salvation is close at hand, my justice is soon to come. Blessed
is the mortal who does these things, and perseveres in them, who does
not defile the sabbath and who refrains from evil. Let no foreigner
say, "Surely Yahweh will exclude me from his people." Neither let the
castrated man say, "I have become a mere dry tree." Yahweh says to the
foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping his
sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his covenant: I will
bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of
prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and
sacrifices, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the
nations. Thus says the Lord God, Yahweh, who gathers the exiles of
Israel: There are others I will gather besides those already gathered.

JOHN 5:33-36
John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him,
but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that
you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while
you were willing to enjoy his light. But I have greater evidence than
that of John—the works which the Father entrusted to me to carry out.
The very works I do bear witness: the Father has sent me.

REFLECTION
In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah says that all those who
follow the commands of the Lord are acceptable to Him, even if they
are foreigners. This means that the pagan converts to Judaism were
very much welcomed by Yahweh, especially since many of the Jewish
people were unfaithful to Him. This tells us that even sinners or
people who previously were irreligious are most welcome to be part of
the Christian community as long as they show a genuine desire to
follow the Christian way. There are many men of goodwill in our
society who, once attracted to Jesus, become his avid followers. In
fact, they eventually live a more holy life than many so-called
traditionally pious Catholics.

In the Gospel, Jesus explicitly says that He is the One sent by God as
Lord and Savior of men. He says that we need not look for others to
enlighten us but simply to observe and reflect on his words and deeds.
Many people nowadays turn to psychology, meditation and other
philosophies for spiritual enlightenment. But none of them possess the
truth, the way and the meaning of life – who Jesus is. Since he is the
Chosen One of God, we must believe in Him and follow Him. It is not
easy to follow Jesus, but if we ask for his help and protection,
surely he will not disappoint us. We must be like little children who
ask help from their parents when we pray to God because God is truly
our Father and Jesus is truly our Brother, Lord and Savior.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Patricia White
… for the personal intentions of
- Josheil Dapo
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo
… Birthday: Desiree Ching
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Ernesto F. Singson Jr.
- Rhonda White
- Domingo Tomacruz Bautista
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: Bea C. Ventura
- Birthday: Francisco H. Suarez Jr.
- Birthday: Virginia Ho Gotamco & Jovi Ho Gotamco
- Birthday: Trini and Marilou Bulaong
- In Memoriam (+): Manuel Dee C. Ham
- In Memoriam (+): Juanita Q. Estrada
… 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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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 5:43 AM 0 comments

THURSDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

DECEMBER 15, 2011
THURSDAY 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT – YEAR I

Is 54:1-10 / Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 / Lk 7:24-30

ISAIAH 54:1-10
Rejoice, O barren woman who has not given birth; sing and shout for
joy, you who never had children, for more are the children of the
rejected woman than the children of the married wife, says Yahweh.
Enlarge the space for your tent, stretch out your hangings, lengthen
your ropes and strengthen your stakes, for you will spread out to the
right and to the left; your descendants will take possession of the
nations and inhabit cities that have been abandoned. Do not be afraid
for you will not be deceived, do not be ashamed for you will not be
disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth; no longer will you
remember the disgrace of your widowhood. For your Maker is to marry
you: Yahweh Sabaoth is his name. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of
Israel: He is called God of all the earth. For Yahweh has called you
back as one forsaken and grieved in spirit. Who could abandon his
first beloved? says your God. For a brief moment I have abandoned you,
but with great tenderness I will gather my people. For a moment, in an
outburst of anger, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I
have had mercy on you, says Yahweh, your Redeemer. This is for me like
Noah's waters, when I swore that they would no more flood the earth;
so now I swear not to be angry with you and never again to rebuke you.
The mountains may depart and the hills be moved, but never will my
love depart from you nor my covenant of peace be removed, says Yahweh
whose compassion is for you.

LUKE 7:24-30
When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began speaking to the people
about John. And he said, "What did you want to see when you went to
the desert? A tall reed blowing in the wind? What was there to see? A
man dressed in fine clothes? But people who wear fine clothes and
enjoy delicate food are found in palaces. What did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For John is the
one foretold in Scripture in these words: I am sending my messenger
ahead of you to prepare your ways. No one may be found greater than
John among those born of women but, I tell you, the least in the
kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people listening to him,
even the tax collectors, had acknowledged the will of God in receiving
the baptism of John, whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the
Law, in not letting themselves be baptized by him, ignored the will of
God.

REFLECTION
More often than not, we meet our salvation through a series of
profound events. It is during these situations that our relationship
with God becomes meaningful. We allow God's love to take root in our
hearts. We begin to discover the mystery of the Trinity in all aspects
of our lives. But for God to become truly meaningful in our lives, we
need to be disciplined, persistent and dedicated. We need to prepare
for His coming into our hearts by converting ourselves.

For some of us conversion is difficult. It means uprooting ourselves
from what we are used to. Before God can enter in our hearts, we need
to clear out that which blocks us from accepting Him. We need to empty
ourselves of our misconceptions, our distrust, our fears and
anxieties. God comes into our hearts quietly and gently. Maybe we are
even unaware that His presence is already beginning to take root.

During this Advent season, let us be reminded of God's presence in our
hearts and the role each of us play in making Him truly alive in our
own lives and in the lives of others. Let us accept John's call to
conversion. Let us not overlook what the Father has in mind for us and
for 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
- Francis Santos
- Julie Manzon
- Glenn Manzon
- Jovelyn Ureta
- Jo Marcelo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
… for the personal intentions of
- 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
… 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: Arnold P. Paragsa
- Birthday: Celia Chua Jao
- In Memoriam (+): Willy Yee Wei Koon
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.