Friday, November 30, 2012
SATURDAY 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
DECEMBER 1, 2012
SATURDAY 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
Rv 22:1-7 / Lk 21:34-36
REVELATION 22:1-7
Then he showed me the river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river are the trees of life producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for healing the nations. No longer will there be a curse; the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the City and God's servants will live in his presence. They will see his face and his name will be on their fore heads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of lamp or sun for God himself will be their light and they will reign forever. Then the angel said to me, "These words are sure and true; the Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon." "I am coming soon! Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book."
LUKE 21:34-36
Be on your guard: don't immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, as a trap. For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."
REFLECTION
Today's first reading gives us a picturesque description of the gifts of God. In the Psalm, this theme is continued along with an invitation to adoration of our great God. The dire warning of the Gospel seems out of place with the beauty of the first two, but the two themes are not really so different.
Perhaps many of us do not feel comfortable about receiving a gift without giving back, or feeling indebted. Can we be thankful and let the giver enjoy the delight of giving without feeling like there are strings attached by either party? Some of us follow an accounting system, like every gift received requires a gift returned. Do we see God's gifts in the same way? Are we always looking for a way to give back, keeping a record of tit for tat?
One problem with that approach is that we can never repay God for all of His gifts. We cannot match or outdo God in the splendor of His gifts. Another problem is that God gives us gifts to be enjoyed and we are missing out on that enjoyment if we are wrapped up in trying to see how we can repay him. The best way to repay God for His many gifts to us is to live in His presence and do His will even in little things.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus warns us not to let our anxieties or fruitless pleasure-seeking get in the way. He tells us to be vigilant, not in a fearful and anxious way but in a joyful anticipation of the day when we will "stand before the Son of Man."
Tomorrow is the beginning of Advent, a time when we anticipate the coming of the Lord and the gifts associated with that coming. Advent can also be a time of too many Christmas parties, or of anxieties and depression that get in the way of the true joy and celebration of the season. The readings for today can be pulled together as a reminder to enjoy the gifts that God has given us in the form of family and friends, but to save some time to enjoy the best gift of all, His loving presence with us no matter what.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of Ma. Theresa O. Bernardo
… for the personal intentions of
- Pat Marquez
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Milagros Millar-Dayrit. Eternal rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Benjamin G. Castillo
- Birthday: Sis. Aida Velasco SPC
- Birthday: Dr. Nicanor Montoya
- Birthday: Francisca Elizes
- In Memoriam (+): Gerard Paguntalan
… 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.
+================================================+
--
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© 2012 Daily-Homily
SATURDAY 34TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR II
Rv 22:1-7 / Lk 21:34-36
REVELATION 22:1-7
Then he showed me the river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river are the trees of life producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for healing the nations. No longer will there be a curse; the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the City and God's servants will live in his presence. They will see his face and his name will be on their fore heads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of lamp or sun for God himself will be their light and they will reign forever. Then the angel said to me, "These words are sure and true; the Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon." "I am coming soon! Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book."
LUKE 21:34-36
Be on your guard: don't immerse yourselves in a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you unaware, as a trap. For, like a snare, will that day come upon all the inhabitants of the earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man."
REFLECTION
Today's first reading gives us a picturesque description of the gifts of God. In the Psalm, this theme is continued along with an invitation to adoration of our great God. The dire warning of the Gospel seems out of place with the beauty of the first two, but the two themes are not really so different.
Perhaps many of us do not feel comfortable about receiving a gift without giving back, or feeling indebted. Can we be thankful and let the giver enjoy the delight of giving without feeling like there are strings attached by either party? Some of us follow an accounting system, like every gift received requires a gift returned. Do we see God's gifts in the same way? Are we always looking for a way to give back, keeping a record of tit for tat?
One problem with that approach is that we can never repay God for all of His gifts. We cannot match or outdo God in the splendor of His gifts. Another problem is that God gives us gifts to be enjoyed and we are missing out on that enjoyment if we are wrapped up in trying to see how we can repay him. The best way to repay God for His many gifts to us is to live in His presence and do His will even in little things.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus warns us not to let our anxieties or fruitless pleasure-seeking get in the way. He tells us to be vigilant, not in a fearful and anxious way but in a joyful anticipation of the day when we will "stand before the Son of Man."
Tomorrow is the beginning of Advent, a time when we anticipate the coming of the Lord and the gifts associated with that coming. Advent can also be a time of too many Christmas parties, or of anxieties and depression that get in the way of the true joy and celebration of the season. The readings for today can be pulled together as a reminder to enjoy the gifts that God has given us in the form of family and friends, but to save some time to enjoy the best gift of all, His loving presence with us no matter what.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of Ma. Theresa O. Bernardo
… for the personal intentions of
- Pat Marquez
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Milagros Millar-Dayrit. Eternal rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Benjamin G. Castillo
- Birthday: Sis. Aida Velasco SPC
- Birthday: Dr. Nicanor Montoya
- Birthday: Francisca Elizes
- In Memoriam (+): Gerard Paguntalan
… 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
