Wednesday, January 02, 2013

 

THURSDAY BEFORE EPIPHANY

JANUARY 3, 2013
THURSDAY BEFORE EPIPHANY

1 Jn 2:29-3:6 / Ps 98: 1. 3cd-4. 5-6 / Jn 1:29-34

1 JOHN 2:29-3:6
You know that he is the Just One: know then that anyone living justly is born of God. See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet when he appears in his glory, we know that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope try to be pure as he is pure. Anyone who commits a sin acts as an enemy of the law of God; any sin acts wickedly, because all sin is wickedness. You know that he came to take away our sins, and that there is no sin in him. Whoever remains in him has no sin, whoever sins has not seen or known him.

JOHN 1:29-34
The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said, "There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! It is he of whom I said: A man comes after me, who is already ahead of me, for he was before me. I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing to prepare for him, so that he might be revealed in Israel." And John also gave this testimony, "I saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove from heaven, and resting on him. I myself did not know him, but God, who sent me to baptize, told me, `You will see the Spirit coming down, and resting, on the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' Yes, I have seen! And I declare that this is the Chosen One of God!"

REFLECTION
Many persons have nicknames which are a shorter version of their real name. But sometimes we are given a name which is more of a description of who we are. One is called "Joan of Arc" because she is always saving everybody from their problems wherever she is.

Each time we celebrate Mass, we recognize Jesus as the "Lamb of God." In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls Jesus "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!" In Jewish language, the word "lamb" means both servant and lamb. Jesus is the servant of God spoken by the prophets, who was to sacrifice himself for his brothers and sisters. In this passage, the identity of Jesus is revealed. John makes it clearer, "I saw the Spirit coming down on him... who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." Finally, he declares, "This is the chosen one of God!"

The beautiful passage brings us to reflect on who Jesus is in our life. Jesus is our "Lamb" who saves us from sinfulness and who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. He comes to bring us back to the Father for we, too, are chosen daughters and sons of God. God loves us so much that he gave us Jesus to be our Saviour... and his Spirit to guide us in our life. What concrete way of experiencing our being "chosen ones!" But do we really give importance to this? Do we accept Jesus as our Saviour and allow his Spirit to guide us? We know that if we accept this, it will turn our lives totally and lead us to become servants and lambs like Jesus himself. Are we ready to accept and embrace this change in our life? How can we give life to our being "chosen ones?"

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Netta
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Veronica Yap
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Fr. James Reuter, S.J. 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.
- Wedding Anniversary: John Luther & June Sy
- In Memoriam (+): Adolfo R. Pe (Aug 15, 1935 - Jan 3, 1995)
… 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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