DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 19, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT JOHN EUDES, PRIEST
MONDAY 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

Jdg 2:11-19 / Ps 106: 34-35. 36-37. 39-40. 43ab and 44 / Mt 19:16-22

READINGS
Judges 2:11-19
The Israelites treated Yahweh badly for they served the Baals instead. They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their ancestors who had brought them out of Egypt, and served other gods, the gods of the neighboring peoples. They bowed before those gods and offended Yahweh. When Yahweh saw that they had abandoned him to serve Baal and Ashtaroth, he became angry with his people and gave them into the hands of plunderers who left them in misery. He himself sold them to their enemies who completely surrounded the Israelites, so that these Israelites could no longer withstand them. Whenever they felt strong for an offensive, Yahweh would turn against them and send evil upon them, as he had warned them and sworn to do. And this caused much distress and anguish for the Israelites. Yahweh raised up "judges" (or liberators) who saved the Israelites from their exploiters. But neither did they obey those "judges" for they still prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They soon left the way of their fathers who obeyed the commandments of Yahweh; they did not follow the way of their fathers. When Yahweh made a judge appear among his people, Yahweh was with him and saved them from their enemies. That lasted as long as the judge lived, for Yahweh was moved to pity by the lament of his people who were oppressed and persecuted. But when the judge died, they again became worse than their ancestors—worshiping and serving other gods. They would not renounce their pagan practices and stubborn ways.

Matthew 19:16-22
It was then that a young man approached him and asked, "Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One only is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments." The young man said, "Which commandments?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments. What is still lacking?" Jesus answered, "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor, and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me." On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

REFLECTION
Would you give up all that you have and own to follow Jesus' example? When Jesus speaks to the young man of the way to eternal life, Jesus shows him the way of poverty. The rich young man rejects that proposal because his possessions and wealth are his security. A poor person does not have this concern although he might still cling to whatever he possesses. Many times, the desire to be rich leaves us with no time for the service of our neighbor.

The young man observed the commandments and yet still wanted to know the way which leads to eternal life. If he knew the purpose for observing these commandments, then he wouldn't have asked the question.

So, what does this mean for us today? Do we sell all we possess to give to the poor? The observance of the commandments is only the first step towards a much further and higher goal. It prepares us to be able to reach the point of giving of ourselves completely to others. We must realize all that we have, and know what enough is. Especially those of us who have much, we should know what we need to live on this earth and still have more to share with our neighbor.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
- Judy Fernandez and Harry Shearer
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Juliet Fallaria
- Ma. Angeli Marmeto
- Teresa Antoinette Bagaipo and Sol Bagaipo
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- In Memoriam (+): Buenasenso Sy (Jan 27, 1934 - Aug 19, 2008)
… 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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+