DAILY- HOMILY

JULY 5, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT ANTHONY ZACCARIA, PRIEST
FRIDAY 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YR I

Gen 23:1-4,19;24:1-8,62-67 / Ps 106:1-2, 3-5 / Mt 9:9-13

Genesis 23:1-4,19;24:1-8,62-67
Sarah lived a hundred and twenty-seven years. She died at Kiriatharba—that is Hebron—in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to weep and mourn for Sarah. Abraham left his dead one and spoke to the Hittites, "I am only a stranger among you; give me a burial place among you, so that I may bury my dead." After this Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of Machpelah. Abraham was now old and well on in years, and Yahweh had blessed him in every way. Abraham said to his senior servant, who was his steward, "Put your hand under my thigh and you will swear to me by Yahweh, God of heaven and earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom we live; rather it is to my country and my kinsfolk that you will go to choose a wife for my son, Isaac." The servant said to him, "Perhaps the woman will not want to follow me to this country. In that case should I take your son to the country you came from?" Abraham said to him, "In no way will you take my son back. For Yahweh, God of heaven and God of earth, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my birth, spoke to me and swore to me that he would give this country to my race. He will send his angel before you, that you may find a wife for my son. But if the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be free of this oath. In any case you are not to take my son down there." Now Isaac had come from the well of Lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negeb. As Isaac went out in the early evening to meditate in the field, he looked up and saw camels coming. Rebekah also looked up and when she saw Isaac she alighted from her camel and said to the servant, "Who is this man in the field coming to meet us?" He replied, "It is my master!" She then covered her face with her veil. The servant related to Isaac all that he had done and Isaac brought Rebekah into the tent of Sarah, his mother. He made her his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Matthew 9:9-13
As Jesus moved on from there, he saw a man named Matthew at his seat in the custom-house, and he said to him, "Follow me!" And Matthew got up and followed him. Now it happened, while Jesus was at table in Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners joined Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why is it that your master eats with sinners and tax collectors?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people do not need a doctor, but sick people do. Go and find out what this means: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

REFLECTION
Today's readings focus on two seemingly different stories: Isaac and the search for his wife Rebekah in the Old Testament, and the call of Matthew in the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, the story of Abraham and his covenant with God to be the father all nations continues after the death of Sarah. He needs to propagate the race through his son Isaac, now a young man. He chooses a wife for Isaac according to the plan of God.

In the New Testament, Jesus calls Matthew as part of the Lord's plan to call disciples of different backgrounds and different states of life. God's design is to call all of mankind under His banner.

Thus, the theme for today's readings is about faithfulness to God's plan, both in the case of Isaac in the Old Testament and the case of Matthew in the New Testament.

The issue of God's plan includes how we treat the sinners, the disadvantaged, the marginalized. The Lord wants to give the downtrodden a full life of dignity as befits children of God.

How are we doing in terms of our faithfulness to God's plan? Do we give enough time to think about this? Do we follow God's plan in the way we treat the marginalized?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Chief Samrose Anyaugo
- Father Al Gasher, Arnold Fessler
- Flora Tong
- Jo, Debbie, Gene L, Mary Ann M, Cheryl, Fr Larry
- Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
- Baby Marijke Hope
- Ms. Teresa E. Austria
… 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
- Veronica Yap
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Elizabeth Lim
- Felomino Lleve
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: Philip Lim
- Birthday: Felixbert III Onglatco
- Birthday: Diane Sim
… 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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