Saturday, February 04, 2012
5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B
5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B
Jb 7:1-4, 6-7 / 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 / Mk 1:29-39
JOB 7:1-4, 6-7
Man's life on earth is a thankless job, his days are those of a
mercenary. Like a slave he longs for the shade of evening, like a
hireling waiting for his wages. Thus I am allotted months of boredom
and nights of grief and misery. In bed I say, "When shall the day
break?" On rising, I think, "When shall evening come?" and I toss
restless till dawn. My days pass swifter than a weaver's shuttle,
heading without hope to their end. My life is like wind, you well know
it, O God; never will I see happiness again.
1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-19, 22-23
Because I cannot boast of announcing the Gospel: I am bound to do it.
Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! If I preached voluntarily, I
could expect my reward, but I have been trusted this office against my
will. How can I, then, deserve a reward? In announcing the Gospel, I
will do it freely without making use of the rights given to me by the
Gospel. So, feeling free with everybody, I have become every body's
slave in order to gain a greater number. To the weak I made myself
weak, to win the weak. So I made myself all things to all people in
order to save, by all possible means, some of them. This I do for the
Gospel, so that I too have a share of it.
MARK 1:29-39
On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the home of Simon and Andrew
with James and John. As Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with
fever, they immediately told him about her. Jesus went to her and,
taking her by the hand, raised her up. The fever left her and she
began to wait on them. That evening at sundown, people brought to
Jesus all the sick and those who had evil spirits: the whole town was
pressing around the door. Jesus healed many who had various diseases,
and drove out many demons; but he did not let them speak, for they
knew who he was. Very early in the morning, before daylight, Jesus
went off to a lonely place where he prayed. Simon and the others went
out also, searching for him; and when they found him, they said,
"Everyone is looking for you." Then Jesus answered, "Let's go to the
nearby villages so that I may preach there too; for that is why I
came." So Jesus set out to preach in all the synagogues throughout
Galilee; he also cast out demons.
REFLECTION
Prayer is not a means for people to force a reluctant God to do what
he does not want to do, nor is it a time for informing God of what God
does not know. Prayer is for the benefit of the one who prays. It is
the tool that God uses to better inform us, better direct us, better
help us to be conformed to God's will. When we enter into prayer, we
ought to enter with the desire that God will move us into His will,
that He will unite our hearts in one purpose and demonstrate his power
to do more than we ask or think.
We would do well to follow Jesus' example, for surely if the Son of
God needed to take time for prayer and seeking God's will, so do we.
Prayer is spending time with God. It might involve asking for things,
or thanking God for things. It might also be simply being with God.
Have you ever simply spent time with someone, and you are both just
quietly being together? You may be sitting with your spouse, or
holding your child, or at the bedside of your sick parent. We need
more of that quiet time spent with God. We will rarely find God in the
hectic moments in our lives, but we will often find Him in the quiet
moments. Just being still and resting in the simple presence of the
Lord is good for our own soul, for our relationship with others, and
for our relationship with God.
Take a movie director saying "Action" after a pause in filming. The
word "Amen" at the end of our prayers should be like that. We often
tend to treat the word "Amen" as a "Goodbye" and sort of hanging up
the telephone on God, as if we are disconnecting from Him, whereas
prayer should be a constant thing, an attitude and a frame of mind
that never ends.
St. Paul said in his letter to the Thessalonians, "pray without
ceasing." Paul does not suggest that we live a life in the monastery,
always being in the kind of solitary place for prayer that Jesus finds
in today's gospel reading. Paul is referring to a constant attitude
about prayer. Never say "Amen" as a way of disconnecting from God.
Rather, say "Amen" like the director saying, "Action." The end of
prayer is action.
There are times when you should just do nothing, but sit there in
quiet prayer. Then there are other times when you should say to
yourself, "Don't just sit there, do something." At the end of the
prayer, when you say "Amen", that should be a word that calls you to
action. That is what Jesus did.
In today's Gospel, Jesus sneaks off for prayer in a quiet solitary
place. The disciples find him and at the end of the prayer time, Jesus
gets up and gets on with life. Jesus tells his disciples, "Let us go
somewhere else, to the nearby villages, so I can preach there also.
That is why I have come."
Our lives are so busy. We need to stop from time to time and go to
that solitary place for prayer. And then at the end of the prayer, get
up and get busy with the things that are most important, the work of
God.
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
- Stella Sison
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
… 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
- Josheil Dapo
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Ma. Lourdes Salvador-Sy
- Birthday: Vittorio B. Dizon
- Prayer Intention: Albino & Emile Chua & Family
… 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
SATURDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
SATURDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
1 Kgs 3:4-13 / Mk 6:30-34
1 KINGS 3:4-13
The king used to sacrifice at Gibeon, the great high place; on the
altar there he had offered a thousand burnt offerings. It was in
Gibeon, during the night, that Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream
and said, "Ask what you want me to give you." Solomon answered, "You
have shown your servant David my father a great and steadfast love
because he served you faithfully and was righteous and sincere towards
you. You have given him proof of your steadfast love in making a son
of his sit on his throne this day. And now, O Yahweh my God, you have
made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but
a young boy who does not know how to undertake anything. Meantime,
your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen—a
people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted. Give
me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing your people that I
may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this
multitude of people of yours?" Yahweh was pleased that Solomon had
made this request. And he told him, "Because you have requested this
rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies;
indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern
what is right, I shall grant you your request. I now give you a wise
and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after
you shall ever have. "I will also give you what you have not asked
for, both wealth and fame; and no king shall be your equal during your
lifetime.
MARK 6:30-34
The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and
taught. Then he said to them, "Go off by yourselves to a remote place
and have some rest." For there were so many people coming and going
that the apostles had no time even to eat. And they went away in the
boat to a secluded area by themselves. But people saw them leaving,
and many could guess where they were going. So, from all the towns,
they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them. As Jesus went
ashore, he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them for they
were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching
session with them.
REFLECTION
All-in! That's just the way God is for us. Knowing the needs of our
mind, body, and soul, He is there to bestow strength and sustenance
because of His infinite love for us.
When Solomon humbly beseeched for wisdom to effectively govern God's
chosen people, he got it and more. When the multitude was hungry for
physical and spiritual nourishment, Jesus gave a bounty of food and
teachings even while already tired from a long day's work. Clearly,
God provides when and to what extent it is right for us to receive.
Being human, however, we oftentimes pray more for what we want rather
than for what we really need.
Recall the last time we were at a buffet dinner. Did we get a far
greater variety and quantity than what was healthy for us? Did we only
force ourselves to consume every morsel just to avoid wastage even
while fully sated? Or worse, did we leave so much on the plate, food
untouched and thrown away?
As we do everything to overcome seemingly never-ending challenges, let
us learn to surrender our fate to God. Let us cleanse ourselves of
useless worries, avarice, and greed.
Let us trust that the Lord is all we will ever need.
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
- Stella Sison
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
… Birthday: Beth Yap
… 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
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
… 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
MEMORIAL, ST. BLASÉ, ST. ANSGAR
MEMORIAL, ST. BLASÉ, ST. ANSGAR
FRIDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
Sir 47:2-11 / Mk 6:14-29
SIRACH 47:2-11
As fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was chosen from
among the Israelites. He played with lions and bears as if they were
lambs or young goats. He was still young when he slew a giant to
restore the honor of his people; with a sling he aimed a stone that
killed the arrogant Goliath. He invoked the Lord Most High, who gave
him strength to slay a mighty warrior, and so exalt the power of his
people. So they glorified him for his ten thousands and praised him as
a blessing from the Lord when he was chosen king. For he wiped out his
enemies on all sides and annihilated his adversaries, the Philistines,
crushing their power forever. In all that he did he gave thanks to the
Most High, and showed his love for his Maker by singing with all his
heart. He placed singers accompanied by harps before the altar to make
beautiful music; he gave splendor to feasts and even greater
magnificence to the more solemn occasions, exalting the holy Name of
the Lord and having the sanctuary ring with his praises from early
morning. The Lord forgave David's sins and established his power
forever; he made a covenant with him for the benefit of the kings and
gave him a glorious throne in Israel.
MARK 6:14-29
King Herod also heard about Jesus, because his name had become well-
known. Some people said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the
dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others
thought, "He is Elijah," and others, "He is a prophet like the
prophets of times past." When Herod was told of this, he thought, "I
had John beheaded, yet he has risen from the dead!" For this is what
had happened: Herod had ordered John to be arrested, and had had him
bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother
Philip. Herod had married her, and John had told him, "It is not right
for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias held a grudge
against John; and wanted to kill him, but she could not, because Herod
respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man, and kept
him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very
disturbed, whenever he heard him. Herodias had her chance on Herod's
birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government
officials, military chiefs, and the leaders of Galilee. On that
occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she
delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for
anything you want and I will give it to you." And he went so far as to
say with many oaths, "I will give you anything you ask, even half my
kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
The mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried
to the king and made her request, "I want you to give me the head of
John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish." The king was very
displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of
his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring
John's head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the
head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her
mother. When John's disciples heard of this, they came and took his
body and buried it.
REFLECTION
Little is known about the life of St. Blasé. He was bishop of
Sebastea in Armenia and martyred in the early 4th century. According
to legend, he was born to a rich and noble family and was raised a
Christian. When he became bishop, a new persecution arose. He received
a message from God to escape to the hills. Hunters discovered him in a
cave surrounded by wild animals that he tended and cured. He was
brought back for trial, put in prison, and sentenced to death by
starvation. But a grateful woman fed him secretly because the saint
saved her pig from being devoured by a wolf. St. Blasé was later
beheaded. He is the patron saint of throat illnesses because,
according to legend, while he was in prison he cured a boy who almost
died of a fishbone stuck in his throat. He is represented holding two
crossed candles in his hand or in a cave surrounded by wild beasts. He
is also the patron saint of wild animals.
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
- Fr Henry Romero
- Lito Blanco
- Francis Torres
- Mon Torres
- Rakkie Villa
- Stella Sison
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Angeli
- Lars
- Med Villanueva
- Cherie Torres
- Pauline
- Dr. Ugo Anyaugo, Mr. Ogechi Anyaugo, Barr Obinna Okoronkwo, Barr Mrs
Barbs Adaugo Okoronkwo, Mr .Ifeanyi Anyaugo, Mr Chuboy Anyaugo,
Cordelia Anyaugo, Kelechi Ozurumba
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Mrs Dolores Lisay
- Mrs Lily Botiquin
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: Rod Claudio
- Birthday: Ronnie Salvador
… 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
