DAILY- HOMILY

APRIL 2, 2012
MEMORIAL, ST FRANCIS OF PAOLA
MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK – YEAR II

Is 42:1-7 / Jn 12:1-11, Violet

ISAIAH 42:1-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I
have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
He does not shout or raise his voice proclamations are not heard in
the streets. A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out
the light of the wavering wick. He will make justice appear in truth.
He will not waver or be broken until he has established justice on
earth; the islands are waiting for his law. Thus says God, Yahweh, who
created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread the earth and
all that comes from it, who gives life and breath to those who walk on
it: I, Yahweh, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold
your hand to make you firm; I will make you as a covenant to the
people, and as a light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see,
to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in
darkness.

JOHN 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where he had
raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life. Now they gave a dinner for him,
and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus.
Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard,
and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. And the
whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Judas
Iscariot—the disciple who was to betray Jesus—remarked, "This perfume
could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money
given to the poor." Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was
a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to
the funds. But Jesus spoke up, "Leave her alone. Was she not keeping
it for the day of my burial? (The poor you always have with you, but
you will not always have me.)" Many Jews heard that Jesus was there
and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom
he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests thought about
killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away
because of him, and believing in Jesus.

REFLECTION
St. Francis of Paola lived to be 91 years old (1416-1507) and was
canonized in 1519, just 12 years after his death. He was conceived
after his devout parents prayed incessantly to St. Francis of Assisi.
His parents guided him into a holy life. At 13 he studied with
Franciscan friars; at 15 he withdrew from the world, continuing the
ascetic practices of prayer, sacrifice, and penance begun as a child.
He slept on a rock and ate herbs he gathered or food given by friends.
By 1454, the Archbishop of Cosenza had a large church and monastery
built for the Order (the Minims, or least is the house of God) he
began because by then it had many members.

The rule for his Order emphasized penance, charity, and humility. It
also included the observance of perpetual Lent, or continued fasting
and abstinence in reparation for the lapses of those who skipped this
Lenten practice. Francis himself served as an example of humility:
when ordered by Pope Sixtus IV to minister to Louis XI, King of
France, he obediently left his 50 years of contemplative life to do
so. He worked many miracles, gave wise counsel, remained humble at the
conversions he effected, and was gifted with prophesy and an unusual
sanctity. He prepared for death, remaining in solitude his last three
months. He died on April 2, Good Friday of that year.

St. Francis of Paola once held coals without being harmed, saying,
"All creatures obey those who serve God with a perfect heart." May we
strive to serve God with perfect hearts, just as he did.

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
- Mark Weber
- Bud Larson
- Ditas dela Paz
- Ryan Nicholas
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr Ugonna Anyaugo, Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr & Mrs Obinna Okoronkwo,
Ifeanyi Matts Anyaugo, Chuba Osy Anyaugo, Cordelia Anyaugo
- Fred de Leon
- Ising Gonzales
- Fran
… In Memoriam: Chief & Ezinne Paul Ezekwe, Nneoma Rose Anyaugo, Laura
Ezekwe & other deceased members of Anyaugo & Ezekwe families
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Sr. Teresita Canivel, MIC.
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: Jason Roy Pacheco
- Birthday: Lydia Javier Reyes
… 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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