DAILY- HOMILY

September 19, 2013

Thursday 24^th Week in Ordinary TIme - Yr I

Memorial, Saint Januarius, bishop and martyr

1 Tim 4:12-16 / Ps 111: 7-8. 9. 10 / Lk 7:36-50

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Let no one reproach you on account of your youth. Be a model to the believers in the way you speak and act, in your love, your faith and purity of life. Devote yourself to reading, preaching and teaching, until I come. Do not neglect the spiritual gift conferred on you with prophetic words when the elders laid their hands upon you. Think about it and practice it so that your progress may be seen by all. Take heed of your- self and attend to your teaching. Be stead fast in doing this and you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to share his meal, so he went to the Pharisee's home, and as usual reclined at the table to eat. And it happened that a woman of this town, who was known as a sinner, heard that he was in the Pharisee's house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and stood behind him, at his feet, weeping. She wet his feet with her tears, she dried them with her hair, she kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. The Pharisee who had invited Jesus was watching, and thought, "If this man were a prophet, he would know what sort of person is touching him; isn't this woman a sinner?" Then Jesus spoke to the Pharisee and said, "Simon, I have something to ask you." He answered, "Speak, master." And Jesus said, "Two people were in debt to the same creditor. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. As they were unable to pay him back, he graciously canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, who was forgiven more." And Jesus said, "You are right." And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? You gave me no water for my feet when I entered your house, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn't welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since she came in. You provided no oil for my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. This is why, I tell you, her sins, her many sins, are forgiven, because of her great love. But the one who is forgiven little, has little love." Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." The others reclining with him at the table began to wonder, "Now this man claims to forgive sins!" But Jesus again spoke to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace!"

Reflection

St Paul's advice to Timothy can very well apply to us – for our holiness. It is worth heeding Paul's words, though it is not an easy model to all believers in our way of acting and speaking, in our faith and purity of life. On the other hand, what Jesus told the woman who was noted for being a sinner is very consoling. He said to her, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

The gesture of this woman after that incident was far beyond what the Pharisees did or did not do. Having been an outcast for being regarded as a sinner, her encounter with Jesus changed her life. As her way of showing repentance and gratitude, she bathed Jesus' feet with her tears, dried them with her hair (her pride) and anointed them with perfume (her vanity). Indeed, it was total conversion for her.

In our life, after all the lessons, sermons and retreats were we deeply touched that we turned around and found our true love who is Jesus? Have we felt that our faith in Jesus deepened and that we are at peace? Let us then try to deeply experience Jesus in prayer, through his word and sacraments so that we will live in peace with ourselves and with others.

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

Benny, Herb, Nick (MD), Ed, Bob M, Randy, Denise (TX), Debbie (AZ), Mrs D

… for the personal intentions of

Beny Chua

Mary Wong

Ben, Nancy, Rita P, Netta, Mary Ann M, Joan's son, Bob F & Fr Larry

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.

Birthday: Edward Bautista

Birthday: Jose C. Bautista

Wedding Anniversary: Amy & Henry Go

In Memoriam (+): Henry Tang

In Memoriam (+): Pacita P.Yu (Aug 31, 1947 - Sept 19, 2011)

… 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.

+================================================+