DAILY- HOMILY

JULY 1, 2013
MONDAY 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YR I

Gen 18:16-33 / Ps 103: 1b-2. 3-4. 8-9. 10-11 / Mt 8:18-22

Genesis 18:16-33
The men went away and turned towards Sodom. Abraham walked with them to set them on their way. And Yahweh said, "Can I conceal from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham, in fact, is going to become a great and powerful nation and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed, for I have chosen him to command his sons and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that Yahweh may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Then Yahweh said, "How great is the cry for justice against Sodom and Gomorrah! And how grievous is their sin! I am going down to see if they have done all that they are charged with in the outcry that has reached me. If it is not so, I will know." The men with him turned away and went towards Sodom, but Yahweh remained standing before Abraham. Abraham went forward and said, "Will you really let the just perish with the wicked? Perhaps there are fifty good people in the town. Are you really going to let them perish? Would you not spare the place for the sake of these fifty righteous people? It would not be at all like you to do such a thing and you can't let the good perish with the wicked, nor treat the good and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the judge of all the earth be just?" Yahweh said, "If I find fifty good people in Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Abraham spoke up again, "I know that I am very bold to speak like this to my Lord, I who am only dust and ashes! But perhaps the number of the good is five less than fifty. Will you destroy the town because of five?" Yahweh replied, "I will not destroy the town if I find forty- five good people there." Again Abraham said to him, "Perhaps there will be only forty." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Abraham went on, saying, "May my Lord not be angry, but let me speak. Maybe only thirty good people will be found in the town." Yahweh answered, "I will not destroy it if I find thirty there." Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to my Lord, what if only twenty can be found?" He said, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy the place." But Abraham insisted, "May my Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found?" And Yahweh answered, "For the sake often good people, I will not destroy Sodom." When Yahweh had finished speaking with Abraham, he left and Abraham went home.

Matthew 8:18-22
When he saw the crowd press around him, Jesus gave orders to cross to the other shore. A teacher of the Law approached him and said, "Master, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Another disciple said to him, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first." But Jesus answered him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

REFLECTION
Taking the first step in following Jesus is never easy. We have to let go of our excess baggage such as our earthly belongings, our pleasures and even our own personal comfort. It is a tough road with many challenges to face.

In today's passage, a man approaches Jesus saying that he will follow him wherever he goes. Jesus then relates to him how animals have a place to return to without being rejected by their companions. And yet, he has no place where people would not judge him. This is the first challenge to followers of Jesus - not everyone will accept our personal commitment to him. Some, even our loved ones, may not agree to help us in our journey of faith and may even become obstacles for us.

In the second encounter, a disciple asks that he bury his father first, but our Lord tells him to prioritize following him over anything else. There is a saying that goes "If you're alive, then you still have hope." Unlike the dead, the living still has a chance to convert themselves and to give glory.

This passage, named "The cost of following Jesus," reminds that Jesus is of infinite value. Although it costs us everything to follow him, it is definitely worth it.

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
- Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
- Renato Calleja
- Eric
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Joyce Alba. Eternal rest grant unto her and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
… 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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