DAILY- HOMILY: 02/19/12

DAILY- HOMILY

DAILY-HOMILY is a Catholic-based Scripture and Homily Reflections. It is a great source for scripture readings, homilies and reflections for Weekdays, Sundays and Holydays of Obligation. Subscribe to this list and you will receive a free, informed, down to earth and illustrated homilies focusing on the readings on Weekday & Sunday Masses, Liturgical Services or personal reflection. And best of all it's a FREE service. To subscribe or unsubscribe send email to: dailyhomily@gmail.com

Sunday, February 19, 2012

MONDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

FEBRUARY 20, 2012
MONDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II

Jas 3:13-18 / Mk 9:14-29, Green

JAMES 3:13-18
If you consider yourself wise and learned, show it by your good life
and let your actions, in all humility, be an example for others. But
if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and ambition, do not try to
show off; that would be covering up the truth; this kind of wisdom
does not come from above but from the world and it is earthly and
devilish. Wherever there is jealousy and ambition, you will also find
discord and all that is evil. Instead, the wisdom that comes from
above is pure and peace-loving. Persons with this wisdom show
understanding and listen to advice; they are full of compassion and
good works; they are impartial and sincere. Peace makers who sow peace
reap a harvest of justice.

MARK 9:14-29
When they came to the place where they had left the disciples, they
saw many people around them and some teachers of the Law arguing with
them. When the people saw Jesus, they were astonished and ran to greet
him. He asked, "What are you arguing about with them?" A man answered
him from the crowd, "Master, I brought my son to you, for he has a
spirit, deaf and mute. Whenever the spirit seizes him, it throws him
down and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all
over. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could
not." Jesus replied, "You faithless people! How long must I be with
you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they
brought the boy to him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it shook and
convulsed the boy, who fell on the ground and began rolling about,
foaming at the mouth. Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has this
been happening to him?" He replied, "From childhood. And it has often
thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can
do anything, have pity on us and help us." Jesus said to him, "Why do
you say, `If you can?' All things are possible for one who believes."
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe, but help
the little faith I have." Jesus saw that the crowd was increasing
rapidly, so he ordered the evil spirit, "Dumb and deaf spirit, I
command you: Leave the boy and never enter him again." The evil spirit
shook and convulsed the boy and with a terrible shriek came out. The
boy lay like a corpse and people said, "He is dead." But Jesus took
him by the hand and lifted him and the boy stood up. After Jesus had
gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we
drive out the spirit?" And he answered, "Only prayer can drive out
this kind, nothing else."

REFLECTION
In this narrative from Mark's Gospel, at least two lessons are brought
to our attention. First, our responsibility to live according to
Gospel values as disciples of Jesus. The inability of the disciples to
cast out the evil spirit was an opportunity for the scribes and
Pharisees to discredit not only the disciples themselves, but also
Jesus. In much the same way, do our words, actions, and dealings with
everyone around us mirror our discipleship, or do they discredit us
and consequently also him whom we are serving? Second, the grace of
faith. The father of the boy showed shades of doubt when he said to
Jesus, "If you can." Jesus rebuked him by saying, "All things are
possible to him who believes."

There are so many situations in life that test our faith. Seemingly
unanswered prayers of supplication for healing of physical, emotional,
and spiritual hurt may well lead us to despair. When this happens, let
us echo the prayer of the boy's father: "Lord, I do believe. Help my
unbelief."

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
- RR Montelibano
… for the personal intentions of
- 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: Rodel Manansala
- Prayer Intention: Chua Giok Yean (Lota Chua)
… 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

# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 3:13 AM 0 comments

7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

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.