DAILY- HOMILY

FEBRUARY 4, 2013
MEMORIAL, ST. JOHN DE BRITO, PRIEST
MONDAY 4TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Heb 11:32-40 / Ps 31: 20. 21. 22. 23. 24 / Mk 5:1-20

HEBREWS 11:32-40
Do I need to say more? There is not enough time to speak of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, as well as Samuel and the prophets. Through faith they fought and conquered nations, established justice, saw the fulfillment of God's promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the sword, were healed of their sicknesses; they were weak people who were given strength to be brave in battle and repulse foreign invaders. Some women recovered their dead by resurrection but there were others—persecuted and tortured believers—who, for the sake of a better resurrection, refused to do what would have saved them. Others suffered chains and prison. They were stoned, sawn in two, killed by the sword. They fled from place to place with no other clothing than the skins of sheep and goats, lacking everything, afflicted, ill-treated. These people of whom the world was not worthy had to wander through wastelands and mountains, and take refuge in the dens of the land. However, although all of them were praised because of their faith, they did not enjoy the promise because God had us in mind and saw beyond. And he did not want them to reach perfection except with us.

MARK 5:1-20
They arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. No sooner did Jesus leave the boat than he was met by a man with evil spirits, who had come from the tombs. He lived among the tombs, and no one could restrain him, even with a chain. He had often been bound with fetters and chains, but he would pull the chains apart and smash the fetters, and no one had the strength to control him. Night and day he stayed among the tombs on the hillsides, and was continually screaming, and beating himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell at his feet, and cried with a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? For God's sake, I beg you, do not torment me!" He said this, because Jesus had commanded, "Come out of the man, evil spirit!" And when Jesus asked the evil spirit, "What is your name?" it re plied, "Legion is my name, for we are many." And it kept begging Jesus, not to send them out of that region. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding on the hillside, and the evil spirits begged him, "Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them." So Jesus let them go. The evil spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs, and immediately the herd rushed down the cliff, and all were drowned in the lake. The herdsmen fled, and reported this in the town and in the countryside, so all the people came to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and saw the man freed of the evil spirits sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the same man who had been possessed by the legion. They were afraid. And when those who had seen it, told what had happened to the man and to the pigs, the people begged Jesus to leave their neighborhood. When Jesus was getting into the boat, the man, who had been possessed, begged to stay with him. Jesus would not let him, and said, "Go home to your people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So he went throughout the country of Decapolis, telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him; and all the people were astonished.

REFLECTION
Evil and sin are very real in our society, and people do not like sinners. So when we dwell on our sin, we become outcasts, just like the possessed man. Sin binds us, and prevents us from looking beyond ourselves. We become cut off from society, and worse, cut off from God. Only when we acknowledge our sinfulness can we be healed. Only through the help of Jesus can we truly break free from being "possessed" by sin. And once we are free, we may rejoin our community once more.

The difficult part is acknowledging that we are sinners. It takes a certain courage and humility to admit such a thing. Yet when it does happen, and we do receive God's healing forgiveness, are we ready to follow Him just like the possessed man did? Do we have the strength to also ask Him: "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?"

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
- Paz
- Agustina Fallaria
- Raymond Kahn
… for the personal intentions of
- Emma Quicho
- Maria Joshell
- Josheil Dapo
- Gloria Dorsey
… In Thanksgiving: Carlos and Emma Quicho and family
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Edna D. Fundan
- Gaspar C. Guevara
- Primitivo Atillano
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: Annie Montano
- Birthday: Yolanda Tatad
… 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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