DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 19, 2012
7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 / 2 Cor 1:18-22 / Mk 2:1-12

ISAIAH 43:18-19, 21-22, 24B-25
But do not dwell on the past, or remember the things of old. Look, I
am doing a new thing: now it springs forth. Do you not see? I am
opening up a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. I have
formed this people for myself; they will proclaim my praise. You have
not called upon me, O Jacob, indeed you were tired of me, O Israel;
You have not spent money on sweet frankincense for me, neither have
you satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead you have
burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses. I it is,
I am He who blots out your offenses for my own sake, and remembers
your sins no more.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:18-22
The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are lost. Yet
for us who are saved, it is the power of God, as Scripture says: I
will destroy the wisdom of the wise and make fail the foresight of the
foresighted. Masters of human wisdom, educated people, philosophers,
you have no reply! And the wisdom of this world? God let it fail. At
first God spoke the language of wisdom, and the world did not know God
through wisdom. Then God thought of saving the believers through the
foolishness that we preach. The Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks
for a higher knowledge,

MARK 2:1-12
After some days Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that
he was in the house, so many people gathered, that there was no longer
room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to
them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him. The four men who
carried him couldn't get near Jesus because of the crowd, so they
opened the roof above the room where Jesus was and, through the hole,
lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people,
he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." Now some
teachers of the Law, who were sitting there, wondered within
themselves, "How can he speak like this, insulting God? Who can
forgive sins except God?" At once Jesus knew in his spirit what they
were thinking, and asked, "Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to
this paralyzed man, `Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, `Rise, take
up your mat and walk?' But now you shall know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins." And he said to the paralytic,
"Stand up, take up your mat and go home." The man rose and, in the
sight of all those people, he took up his mat and went out. All of
them were astonished and praised God, saying, "Never have we seen
anything like this!"

REFLECTION
We are surrounded by people who need help, but sometimes we just don't
care. Yet if we have the "heart of God," we cannot just ignore them
and live in peace.

Our Gospel today is a classic example of what "reaching out" means.
Like leprosy, the Jews believed that paralysis was also caused by sin.
Somehow, the four friends knew that only Jesus could heal their
paralyzed friend. Mark highlighted the extraordinary effort of the
four through details of the obstacles they hurdled in their "caring
mission": Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for
them, not even around the door. (Mark 2:2) The situation was very
frustrating, with the four against hundreds wanting Jesus' attention.
But the physical obstacles, the insults and mockery, did not
discourage them from bringing their friend closer to Jesus. They even
calculated the risk of doing something unthinkable (make a hole on the
roof!) and they were willing to pay the price, the fury of the crowd.
Their determination, imagination, and all-out support to their friend
gained Jesus' admiration and compelled him to heal their friend: "When
Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are
forgiven." (Mark 2:5). And the paralyzed man was healed.

There are hundreds of "paralyzed people" in our society today, some
just a "glance" away from us. They yearn to come to God but they do
not know how. Some have heart paralysis – they do not know how to
forgive. Some have hand paralysis – they do not know how to share.
Some have foot paralysis – they cannot move on. And some have eye
paralysis – they see people as "things." Let's encourage them to
exercise their hearts and move on.

When was the last time you invited a non-churchgoer to attend Mass?
Visited a long-lost friend, or even our forgotten Grandparents in the
Homes for the Aged? Ever sent a note of thanks to your favorite
retired grade school teacher, or got a new shirt for the school
janitor? When was the last time you watched a movie with a friend or
hosted a surprise dinner for three – for you and your parents? The
possibilities of doing something "life giving" for others are
innumerable. Be creative. Be imaginative and make others happy. Let's
create a "hole" in their hearts with our unwavering support,
unchanging love, and continuing invitation to move out from their
miseries and woes. Let them feel that we are determined and serious in
helping them.

The Gospel reminds us of our responsibility to reach out, care, and
make a difference. Don't give up. Transcend the obstacles. Think
creatively how you can bring someone a little closer to God. We do not
need magic and heroes to save the world. Be persistent. Wear that
"never give up" spirit and someday, you will achieve a breakthrough –
a "hole" in their hearts.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- RR Montelibano
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr,
Mrs Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo Kelechi Ozurumba
- Veronica Yap
- John Ivan
- Pauline
- Josheil Dapo
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Fatima Penilla-Yu
- Annalie, John
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: Franz Darwin A. Saw
- In Memoriam (+): Feliciana Marin
… 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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

© 2012 Daily-Homily