DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 27, 2012
MEMORIAL, SAINT ANGELA MERICI
FRIDAY 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

2 Sm 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17 / Mk 4:26-34

2 SAMUEL 11:1-4A, 5-10A, 13-17
In the spring of that year, when kings usually set out to fight,
David sent out Joab, his officers and all the Israelite troops. They
slaughtered the Ammonites and attacked Rabbah, while David remained in
Jerusalem. One afternoon, David got up from his siesta and took a walk
on the roof of the royal house. From the rooftop, he saw a woman
bathing, and the woman was very beautiful. David sent to inquire about
the woman, and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife
of Uriah, the Hittite." So David sent messengers to have her brought
to him; and he had intercourse with her after she had cleansed herself
after her monthly period. Then she returned to her house. As the woman
saw she was with child, she sent word to David, "I am with child."
David then sent a message to Joab, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So
Joab sent Uriah to David. When Uriah came, David asked him about Joab,
how the people were and how the war was proceeding; then he told
Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." Uriah left the
palace and the king had a portion from his table sent to him. Uriah,
however, did not go down to his house but slept by the door of the
king's palace with all the servants of his lord. David was told that
Uriah did not go down to his house, and he said to him, "Have you not
come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?" David
invited him to table and he ate and drank until he was drunk. When
evening fell, however, he went to lie down on his couch with the
guards of his lord instead of going down to his house. The next
morning, David wrote Joab a letter to be taken by hand by Uriah, in
which he said, "Place Uriah in the front row where the fighting is
very fierce and then withdraw from him so that he may be struck down
and die." When Joab was attacking the city, he assigned Uriah to a
place which he knew was being defended by strong warriors. And the
defenders attacked the men of Joab. Some of David's soldiers and
officers were killed; Uriah the Hittite also died.

MARK 4:26-34
Jesus also said, "In the kingdom of God it is like this: a man
scatters seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day
or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil
produces of itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain
in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting, they take the sickle
for the cutting: the time for the harvest has come." Jesus also said,
"What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is
like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds
scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the
largest of the plants in the garden, and even grows branches so big,
that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade." Jesus used
many such stories, in order to proclaim the word to them in a way that
they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without
parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything.

REFLECTION
Today, Catholics celebrate the feast of St. Angela Merici, known as
the apostle of education, and founder of a religious order known as
the Order of St. Ursula, the patroness of universities. The Ursulines
is the first congregation of teaching sisters focused on educating
young women about Christ and his teachings.

The New Advent website tells us that St. Angela was born in Desenzano,
a small town in Brescia in northern Italy, on March 21, 1474. Orphaned
at 10, she, together with her sister, lived with her uncle. When her
sister died suddenly, Angela joined the tertiary of St. Francis and
spent her life in prayer. Upon the death of her uncle, she returned to
her home and converted it to a school for girls where she taught them
the essentials of Christianity. In 1524, while making a pilgrimage to
the Holy Land, she became suddenly blind but continued her journey to
the Holy Places. A few weeks later, while praying before a crucifix in
the same place where she was struck with blindness, she got her sight
back.

While in deep prayer, she received a vision to found an association of
virgins who were to devote their lives to the religious training of
young girls. In 1535, Angela chose 12 virgins and laid the foundation
of the order of the Ursulines in a small house in Brescia. At 65,
after being the superior of the newly-founded order for five years,
Angela died. She was beatified in 1768 and canonized in 1807 by Pius
VII.

The life of St. Angela Merici is a confirmation of today's Gospel. The
smallest seed can grow into the biggest shrub so that the birds can
find shelter in it. We can also be a source of refuge and strength for
those who are tired and overburdened.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Junlyn Pascua, Nedda Marjorie, Chiclet Alfeche
- Sonny, Lily
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Francis and Angelito
- Ananias
- Renan Lacida and Rowena Yap
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Cecilia Yu
… for the personal intentions of
- Celma
- Raymund, Cris, Nedda, Allan, Parke, EJ, Arron Davis, Bogart, Zofie,
Quinn Correa
- Veronica Yap
- Dr Ugonna Anyaugo, Ogechi Anyaugo,Barr Obinna Okoronkwo,Barr Mrs
Barbara Okoronkwo. Ifeanyi Anyaugo,Chuba Anyaugo,'Cordelia
Anyaugo .Kelechi Ozurumba
- Hugo, Udo ,Owen and Adanna
- Cordelia
- Josheil Dapo
… In Thanksgiving: Raymund, Cris, Nedda, Allan, Parke, EJ, Arron
Davis, Bogart, Zofie, Quinn Correa
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Buenaventura Pascual Wenceslao
- Annalie
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: Rechiel C. Garcia
- Wedding Anniversary: Antonio & Ruby Almazan
- In Memoriam (+): Leona R. Borja
… 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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