DAILY- HOMILY

December 2, 2013

Monday 1st Week of Advent - Year I

Is 4:2-6 / Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 8-9 / Mt 8:5-11

Isaiah 4:2-6

On that day the Shoot of Yahweh will be beautiful and glorious; and the Fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel. Those who are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem will be called holy all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem, when Yahweh washes away the filth of the women of Zion and purges Jerusalem of the bloodstains in its midst with the blast of searing judgment, the blast of fire. Then will Yahweh create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over its assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of fire by night. For the Glory of the Lord will be a canopy and a pavilion for all, a shade from the scorching heat by day, a refuge from the storm and rain.

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum, an army captain approached him to ask his help, "Sir, my servant lies sick at home. He is paralyzed and suffers terribly." Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The captain answered, "I am not worthy to have you under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will be healed. For I myself, a junior officer, give orders to my soldiers. And if I say to one, 'Go!' he goes; and if I say to another, 'Come!' he comes; and if I say to my servant, 'Do this!' he does it." When Jesus heard this he was astonished, and said to those who were following him, "I tell you, I have not found such faith in Israel. I say to you, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven.

Reflection

The response of this officer is what we presently reply before we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. The New English Translation for the Mass faithfully applies this and it's by no sheer coincidence or accident that we try to edify that same faithfulness. When orders are given in a military setting, these commands are to be expediently obeyed without question. Since this officer was in a position to give such orders, he fully understood and believed in the compliance of his subordinates. When a command is given, it is expected to be strictly followed.

What surprises Our Lord is that this man approached him in all humility and simplicity. This officer treated himself as a subordinate to Jesus. That is why he fully expected to comply with whatever orders or instructions Jesus would tell him. And he would also obediently follow what Jesus would say without question. The officer looked to Our Lord as the one-in-charge, so that means whatever instructions or words of healing Jesus would share will definitely happen without question.

Jesus also noticed that the request of the officer was made for another and not for himself. He was asking for his servant to be healed and he was not seeking any personal gain. What selflessness! May we learn to be as selfless and completely faithful to Our Lord just like this officer. May we approach each Communion with that same disposition of humility and faithfulness: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the Word and my soul shall be healed." May we make ourselves available to be of service to Our Lord.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

-               Nick Lucena

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.

Birthday: Didi C. Ventura

Birthday: Isis T. So

In Memoriam (+): Robert N. Tang

In Memoriam (+): Nenita Liao So

… 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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