DAILY- HOMILY

December 31, 2013

Tuesday 7th day Octave of Christmas - Year I

Memorial, Saint Sylvester I, pope

1 Jn 2:18-21 / Ps 96: 1-2. 11-12. 13 / Jn 1:1-18

1 John 2:18-21

My dear children, it is the last hour. You were told that an antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by which we know that it is now the last hour. They went out from us though they did not really belong to us. Had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. So it became clear that not all of us were really ours. But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom. I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but be- cause you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth.

John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him; life, which for human beings, was also light, light that shines in darkness, light that darkness could not overcome. A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but to all who received him he empowers to become children of God, for they believe in his Name. These are born, but not by seed, nor carnal desire, nor by the will of man: they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness. John bore witness to him openly, saying, "This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me, for he was before me." From his fullness we have all received, favor upon favor. For God had given us the Law through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-only-Son made him known: the one, who is in and with the Father.

Reflection

The gospel of John starts with this reading to reveal God's intent with mankind. He wants Himself to be known to us. Before you can even love a person, you have to know that person. God has always loved us, and wanted to show Himself to us, so that we may know Him. In the Old Testament, no one could ever see Yahweh and live. Moses stood terrified by the burning bush for fear of just even standing near God. God's love and His desire to reveal Himself in Divine Revelation for us to know and love Him prompted a face, a being we could relate with. He gave us the Word in Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God, Clearly the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ, meaning that Jesus Christ became the face and the being to introduce us to God the Father. Jesus Christ became the conduit, the bridge to the Divine. Thus, mankind finally saw God face-to-face and lived. And now we have the chance not only to live, but live righteously, happily and eternally.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of Lorenzo Meoli (12/14-12/31)

… for the personal intentions of

-               Pauline

-               Jacob H.

-               Cherie Torres  

-               Maricar H. de Guzman

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

-               Birthday: Net Alburquerque

-               Thanksgiving: Rose Chiu & Family

-               In Memoriam (+): Ong Huay Kia

-               In Memoriam (+): Felipe Que Chua, MD

-               In Memoriam (+): Fr. James Reuter, S.J.

… 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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