DAILY- HOMILY

September 11, 2013

Wednesday 23^rd Week in Ordinary Time – Year I

Col 3:1-11 / Ps 145: 2-3. 10-11. 12-13ab / Lk 6:20-26

Colossians 3:1-11

So then, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in Glory. Therefore, put to death what is earthly in your life, that is immorality, impurity, inordinate passions, wicked desires and greed which is a way of worshiping idols. These are the things that arouse the wrath of God. For a time you followed this way and lived in such disorders. Well then, reject all that: anger, evil intentions, malice; and let no abusive words be heard from your lips. Do not lie to one another. You have been stripped of the old self and its way of thinking to put on the new, which is being renewed and is to reach perfect knowledge and the likeness of its creator. There is no room for distinction between Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, foreigner, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all.

Luke 6:20-26

Then, looking at his disciples, Jesus said, "Fortunate are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember, that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets. But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now. Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry. Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets.

Reflection

In the first reading, St. Paul tells us that the spiritual transformation of a Christian is an ongoing process. One does not become holy or a saint all of a sudden. It is a daily process in which the Christian dies to his old self and experiences rebirth every day. One must give up his sinful inclinations every day, and this is really a spiritual battle. For this he needs the Holy Spirit to strengthen and support him.

The Christian's goal in life is to go to heaven so his values in life are heavenly values. His creed is the beatitudes as expressed in the gospel of today. He looks for poverty, hardships and persecutions if these will bring him to heaven. He knows that earthly joys last only for a moment, but heaven lasts forever. For him, Christ is everything, and nothing else truly matters. He is happy to be deemed worthy to suffer a little for the kingdom of God.

And how about us, what are we living for? To earn a little money? To have a little comfort? To dissipate ourselves in worldly activities? Well, they won't give us true happiness. All the saints discovered this early on in their lives and that is why they decided to take the narrow path, the path of hardship and self-denial, for the sake of the kingdom. Why? Because they knew that this path leads to heaven, leads to God.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Arceli Capitly

Dinah Marzan

Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres

… for the personal intentions of

Father William

Andrew Guri

Beny Chua

… In Memoriam: 

Bernardo Santiago Jr.

Ruben M. Pasion

… for the eternal repose of the soul of Dindo Quilona. 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: Tony Siy Tan & Toby Gotamco Tan

In Memoriam (+): Virginia Tan

… 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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