DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 20, 2012
TUESDAY 4TH WEEK OF LENT – YEAR II

Ezk 47:1-9, 12 / Jn 5:1-16

EZEKIEL 47:1-9, 12
The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple and I saw water
coming out from the threshold of the Temple and flowing eastwards. The
Temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the
Temple, from the south side of the altar. He then brought me out
through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate
facing the east and there I saw the stream coming from the south side.
The man had a measuring cord in his hand. As he went towards the east
he measured off a thousand cubits and led me across the water which
was up to my ankles. He measured off another thousand cubits and made
me cross the water which came to my knees. He measured off another
thousand cubits and we crossed the water which was up to my waist.
When he had again measured a thousand cubits, I could not cross the
torrent for it had swollen to a depth which was impossible to cross
without swimming. The man then said to me, "Son of man, did you see?"
He led me on further and then brought me back to the bank of the
river. There I saw a number of trees on both sides of the river. He
said to me, "This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when
it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become
wholesome. Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in
it; fish will be plentiful and the sea water will become fresh.
Wherever it flows, life will abound. Near the river on both banks
there will be all kinds of fruit trees with foliage that will not
wither and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a
fresh crop because the water comes from the Temple. The fruit will be
good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.

JOHN 5:1-16
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. Now, by the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, there is a pool
(called Bethzatha in Hebrew) surrounded by five galleries. In these
galleries lay a multitude of sick people: blind, lame and paralyzed.
(All were waiting for the water to move, for at times an angel of the
Lord would descend into the pool and stir up the water; and the first
person to enter the pool, after this movement of the water, would be
healed of whatever disease he had.) There was a man who had been sick
for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him, and because he knew how long
this man had been lying there, he said to him, "Do you want to be
healed?" And the sick man answered, "Sir, I have no one to put me into
the pool when the water is disturbed; so while I am still on my way,
another steps down before me." Jesus then said to him, "Stand up, take
your mat and walk!" And at once the man was healed, and he took up his
mat and walked. Now that day happened to be the Sabbath. So the Jews
said to the man who had just been healed, "It is the Sabbath, and the
Law doesn't allow you to carry your mat." He answered them, "The one
who healed me said to me, `Take up your mat and walk!'" They asked
him, "Who is the one who said to you: Take up your mat and walk?" But
the sick man had no idea who it was who had cured him, for Jesus had
slipped away among the crowd that filled the place. Afterwards Jesus
met him in the Temple court and told him, "Now you are well; don't sin
again, lest something worse happen to you." And the man went back and
told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. So the Jews
persecuted Jesus because he performed healings like that on the
Sabbath.

REFLECTION
Just as Jesus knew what the paralyzed man wanted, he also knows our
desires without expressing them, and he knows what is best for us. Our
faith tells us that his perfect love will bring about a change in us,
healing our spiritual and physical ailments. But for us to receive his
power, we must have an intense desire for it ("Do you want to be
healed?").

"It takes more than a change of heart to change. It takes an act of
faith to change, and a will to change for good." [Fr. Alphonse]

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
- Diane Laviolette and Marty Reed
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Tonie Lingad
… for the personal intentions of
- Josheil Dapo
- Cherie Torres
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Normita Siaco. 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: Ernest James Yu
- Birthday: Chaelda M. Del Carmen
- Birthday: Ricaelle Dee
- In Memoriam (+): Yu Tiong (1921-2002)+
… 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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