Sunday, January 27, 2013

 

MONDAY, 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I

JANUARY 28, 2013
MONDAY, 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR I
MEMORIAL, SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST AND DOCTOR

Heb 9:15,24-28 / Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6 / Mk 3:22-30

HEBREWS 9:15,24-28
So Christ is the mediator of a new covenant or testament. His death made atonement for the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed over to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance. Christ did not enter some sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself. He is now in the presence of God on our behalf. He had not to offer himself many times, as the High Priest does: he who may return every year, because the blood is not his own. Otherwise he would have suffered many times from the creation of the world. But no; he manifested himself only now at the end of the ages, to take away sin by sacrifice, and, as humans die only once and afterwards are judged, in the same way Christ sacrificed himself once to take away the sins of the multitude. There will be no further question of sin when he comes again to save those waiting for him.

MARK 3:22-30
Meanwhile the teachers of the Law, who had come from Jerusalem, said, "He is in the power of Beelzebul: the chief of the demons helps him to drive out demons." Jesus called them to him, and began teaching them by means of stories, or parables. "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a nation is divided by civil war, that nation cannot stand. If a family divides itself into groups, that family will not survive. In the same way, if Satan has risen against himself and is divided, he will not stand; he is finished. No one can break into the house of a strong man in order to plunder his goods, unless he first ties up the strong man. Then indeed, he can plunder his house. Truly, I say to you, every sin will be forgiven humankind, even insults to God, however numerous. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven: he carries the guilt of his sin forever." This was their sin when they said, "He has an unclean spirit in him."

REFLECTION
Can we ever win the battle against evil if we are being controlled by it? Jesus said, "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." If we habitually tear ourselves down, we lose sight of what matters most –God's saving power. His love and mercy cannot shine through in our moments of darkness because we refuse to allow Him to invade our souls. In the process, we get locked up in our own sins until we rot inside. Is this the end of the road for us? Jesus did not die and suffer for us just to see us lose our own fight. He wants to go to battle for us. Being stronger than the evil one, He tells the enemy, "You pick a fight with this person; you pick a fight with me." And here's the good news –He never loses a battle. The victory is already ours.

If Jesus fights for us, then what is our part in the battle? He wants us not to quit but to try again amidst a multitude of failures. He wants us to trust him and stay faithful to his words. He has delivered us from all our sins and accepted all our failures. That powerful acceptance and loving forgiveness will break the bondages from our hands. It will set us free and make us whole again.

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
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Andy Lecaros
- Virginia Hernandez
- Lydia and Judo Pe
- Paz
… for the personal intentions of Jennette
… Birthday: Evelyn T. Brown
… for the eternal repose of the soul of
- Mrs. Fely M. Posadas
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: Bheverlie T. Semitara
… 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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