Wednesday, January 09, 2013

 

THURSDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – YEAR I

JANUARY 10, 2013
THURSDAY AFTER EPIPHANY – YEAR I

1 Jn 4:19—5:4 / Ps 72: 1-2. 14 and 15bc. 17 / Lk 4:14-22

1 JOHN 4:19—5:4
So let us love one another, since he loved us first. If you say, "I love God," while you hate your brother or sister, you are a liar. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your brother whom you see? We received from him this commandment: let those who love God also love their brothers. All those who believe that Jesus is the Anointed, are born of God; whoever loves the Father, loves the Son. How may we know that we love the children of God? If we love God and fulfill his commands, for God's love requires us to keep his commands. In fact, his commandments are not a burden because all those born of God overcome the world. And the victory which overcomes the world is our faith.

LUKE 4:14-22
Jesus acted with the power of the Spirit; and on his return to Galilee, the news about him spread throughout all that territory. He began teaching in the synagogues of the Jews and everyone praised him. When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, as he usually did. He stood up to read, and they handed him the book of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus then unrolled the scroll and found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and new sight to the blind; to free the oppressed and to announce the Lord's year of mercy." Jesus then rolled up the scroll, gave it to the attendant and sat down; while the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he said to them, "Today these prophetic words come true, even as you listen." All agreed with him, and were lost in wonder, while he spoke of the grace of God. Nevertheless they asked, "Who is this but Joseph's son?"

REFLECTION
In the Gospel, we encounter the Nazarenes who after hearing Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah said, "Who is this but Joseph's son?" They could not believe that this son of a carpenter was teaching them. It seems that crab mentality also existed in Nazareth during the time of Jesus. His own town mates could not accept him first because of their pride. A foreigner would have been easily praised and accepted. Second, they were too selfish – they did not agree that God's benefits should be shared with others most especially with the poor, the prisoners, the blind and the oppressed.

In the first reading, St. John talked about loving God and our brothers and sisters. According to him, we cannot love God if we don't love our brothers and sisters. But how can we love others if we have pride and selfishness in us? We want to be the first, the best, the most powerful, the most popular – in short, to be at the top to be admired and praised. And if we are on top, we strive to put people down so as to remain on top.

Love is not just a mere word: it becomes meaningful only when it is not ill-mannered nor self-centered. Can we put our name in place of the word "love?" If we can, then, we are true in loving God and our brothers and sisters. But how can we make these expressions of love more tangible in our life? Will it be easy for us to say "You first?"

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
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Virginia Hernandez
- Cecilia Katigbak and Miguel Katigbak
- Nelly de Guzman
- Mabel Perlas
… for the personal intentions of Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Minerva Quesada
- Eddie del Rosario
- Elean Flores
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.
- Thanksgiving: John Ng
- Thanksgiving: John & Olivia Ng
- Thanksgiving: Jeffrey & Vivian Ng & Family
- Thanksgiving: Michael & Emily & Family
- Thanksgiving: Michael & Angeline Tan & Family
- Thanksgiving: John Jr. & Esther Ng & Family
- Thanksgiving: Oliver & Joanabee Ng & Family
… 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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