Sunday, June 23, 2013

 

SOLEMNITY, BIRTH OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

JUNE 24, 2013
SOLEMNITY, BIRTH OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

Gen 12:1-9 / Ps 71: 1-2. 3-4a. 5-6ab. 15ab and 17 / Mt 7:1-5

Genesis 12:1-9
Yahweh said to Abram, "Leave your country, your family and your father's house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse, and in you all peoples of the earth will be blessed." So Abram went as Yahweh had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took Sarai, his wife, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran. They set out for the land of Canaan. They arrived at Canaan. Abram traveled through the country as far as Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." There he built an altar to Yahweh who had appeared to him. From there he went on to the mountains east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There also he built an altar to Yahweh and called on the name of Yahweh. Then Abram set out in the direction of Negeb.

Matthew 7:1-5
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Come, let me take the speck from your eye,' as long as that plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

REFLECTION
Today's gospel appears very straightforward. Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged." In its original context, Jesus is speaking to those who thought of themselves as being better people than their supposed "lesser" brothers; or the just judging the sinner.

Now, however, it is simpler to interpret. As we try to live our life in the best way possible and in the most pleasing way possible to God, we should take this statement to heart: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you."

Simply put, when we look upon each other, we should choose not to criticize another without looking at our own "shortcomings" first. And even then, at the end of the day, we should just not criticize or judge because none of us is truly superior over any other person. But most of all, to judge others is not pleasing to God. And when we displease God, then we have failed to earn God's grace and promise to let us enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Points to ponder: How many times have you looked at the person who served you at the restaurant, or your colleague or friend or even a family member, and said an unkind word about and to them? You know you had those thoughts, because we all had them. Instead of criticizing, maybe we could live by this simple rule – "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." And see what kind of "world" will come out of being kind and not judgmental.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Elizabeth Lim
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr Ugo Anyaugo, Oge Anyaugo, Barr (Mrs) adaugo Barbara Okoronkwo, Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo, Chuba Anyaugo and Ezinne Cordelia Anyaugo
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Ramon Torres, Pilar David, and Alejandro Lecaros
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: Fidelina A. Corcuera
- Birthday: Fol Rana
- Birthday: Sandra Reyes-Morgan
- Thanksgiving: Stella T. Dy
- In Memoriam (+): Juana Galvez Santos-Ocampo
… 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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