DAILY- HOMILY

September 25, 2013

Wednesday, 25^thWeek in Ordinary Time - Year I

Ezra 9:5-9 / Tb 13: 2, 3-4a, 6, 7-8 / Lk 9:1-6

Ezra 9:5-9

I remained seated and dismayed until the evening sacrifice; and then, at the time for the evening offering, I rose from my fasting, and with my clothes and mantle torn, I knelt down, spreading out my hands to Yahweh, my God. I said, "My God! I am ashamed and confused, my God, I do not dare raise my eyes to you for our sins have increased over our heads and our crimes reach up to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors to this day, our guilt has been great. We, our kings and priests have been given into the hands of foreign kings because of our crimes; we have been delivered to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and put to shame as on this day. However, for a brief moment, the mercy of Yahweh, our God, has been shown to us. He made a remnant of our people survive, and al- lowed the survivor to settle once again in his Holy Place; he has given us joy and life, though we are in bondage. We are no more than slaves, but in the midst of our slavery, God has not abandoned us, he has extended a merciful hand over us to support us before the kings of Persia. He has revived our life, enabled us to re- build the House of our God, and to have walls in Jerusalem and in the other cities of Judah.

Luke 9:1-6

Then Jesus called his twelve disciples, and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He instructed them, "Don't take anything for the journey, neither walking stick, nor bag, nor bread, nor silver coins; and don't even take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. And wherever they don't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them." So they set out and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Reflection

In the gospel, St. Luke speaks about the apostolic mission. The apostles were given special powers to cure diseases and drive out demons. And in order to do these, they were told not to bring anything for the journey, so that they remain unencumbered by the things of this world. But while they were commissioned to preach the Good News and to take care of the spiritual needs of the people, they were also given the power to cure diseases, directing attention not only to the spiritual, but also to the physical needs of the body. We should not be overly concerned with material things of this world, but on the other hand, we cannot totally disregard them. Teaching cannot be effective and lessons cannot be learned when the subjects are suffering from illness or hunger.

How am I doing in this two-fold mission by the way I live? In doing my apostolic mission, do I also show concern for the poor and the needy, sharing with them all the blessings God has generously given to me?

Prayer Requests

We pray …

…for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Joy Droke

Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres

Nick Lucena

Brenda

… for the personal intentions of

Lavanya

Techie

Eric

Pauline

… for the eternal repose of the soul of Irma Lazatin Veloso. 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: Des Suarez

Birthday: Estrella De Leon

Birthday: Kristy Ann Onglatco

In Memoriam (+): Siu Tian

… 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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