DAILY- HOMILY

September 28, 2013

Saturday, 25^th Week in Ordinary Time - Year I

Sts Lorenzo Ruiz and companions, martyrs

Zec 2:5-9,14-15 / Jer 31: 10. 11-12ab. 13 / Lk 9:43-45

Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15

Raising my eyes again, I saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered, "I'm going to measure Jerusalem, to find its width and its length." As the angel who spoke to me came for- ward, another angel met him and said, "Run and tell this to that young man: 'Jerusalem will remain unwalled because of its multitude of people and live stock.' For this is the word of Yahweh: I myself will be around her like a wall of fire, and also within her in Glory." "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I am about to come, I shall dwell among you," says Yahweh. "On that day, many nations will join Yahweh and be my people, but my dwelling is among you."

Luke 9:43-45

And all who saw it were astonished at God's wonderful work. But while all were amazed at everything Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen, and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men." But the disciples didn't understand this saying; something prevented them from grasping what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Reflection

As we read and reflect on our gospel reading today, we must bear in mind the preceding verses concerning the episodes of the transfiguration of our Lord on the mountain and his exorcism of an epileptic demoniac. Even as his disciples, especially the favored three, Peter, James and John were basking in his power and glory, our Lord was reminding them that life is a combination of joy and sorrow, great consolation in the midst of great desolation. Unhappiness is always with us because we live in a sinful environment caused by sinful men. All of us have that emptiness in our lives which can only be filled by God because we are not only created in His image but also created by God for Himself. We all long for that consolation which only He can give. However, due to our sinful nature, we tend to seek our consolation in creatures rather than in the Creator resulting in more suffering and desolation.

During the time of the prophet Zechariah, the Jews just returned from exile and were looking forward to the rebuilding of their Temple. They longed for the time when God would be among His people once again. Through His prophet, God assured them of His blessings and continuing faithfulness. In Jesus, God is Immanuel, not only to his contemporaries in 1st century Palestine, but also to us in his Church and sacraments. He is the only and true consoler in the midst of a sinful and restless world. In today's gospel, Jesus warns us not to be complacent in our many blessings and consolations. At the same time, he also comforts us in the midst of so much suffering and trials in our daily lives.

On this day, the Church remembers the martyrdom of Sts Wenceslaus and Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions who gave their lives in Japan for the faith. After giving us so much blessings and consolations, our Lord Jesus reminds us of the cost of discipleship. How do we respond to his invitation to follow him?

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Joy Droke

Brenda

Fr. Bill McGarry, S.J.

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

… for the personal intentions of

Eric

Pauline

… In Memoriam: Teresita Enriquez

… for the eternal repose of the soul of Benjamin Pajaro Quitoriano. 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: Rolly dela Rosa

Birthday: Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD

Birthday: Rebecca Chua Lim Siu Cheng

Birthday: Alessandra Norise Y. Lu

Wedding Anniversary: Hans & Carol Sy

Wedding Anniversary: Benjamin & Michelle Lynette Yu Jones

Wedding Anniversary: Ferdie & Bel Chua, MD

… 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. 

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

September 27, 2013

Friday, 25^th Week in Ordinary Time - Year I

Memorial, Saint Vincent de Paul, priest

Hg 1:15-2:9 / Ps 43: 1. 2. 3. 4 / Lk 9:18-22

READINGS

Haggai 1:15-2:9

It was the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month. On the twenty-first day of the seventh month of the second year of the reign of Darius, this word of Yahweh was sent through the prophet Haggai, "Give this message to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the high priest, and to all the people: Is there left among you one of those who saw this house long ago in the time of its glory? What do they think of what they see now? Is it not a very little thing? But I say to you, Zerubbabel, Joshua and my people: do not be discouraged. Begin to work, for I am with you, says Yahweh. Do not be afraid, for my spirit is in your midst. Thus says Yahweh of hosts, within a short while I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the continents. Then I will shake all the nations and bring in the treasures of the whole world. I will fill this House with glory, says Yahweh. I will have as much silver and gold as I wish. The renown of this Temple will be greater than before, and in this place I will give peace," says Yahweh of hosts.

Luke 9:18-22

One day, when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, "What do people say about me?" And they answered, "Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead." Again Jesus asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone. And he added, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."

Reflection

Jesus is now aware that in the course of his work, he has angered the authorities. He is also aware that he faces death as the natural consequence of taking a stand against the injustice he sees. He is dedicated to the mission on which the Father has sent him and he must see it through. As he shares his thoughts with his disciples and being a good Jew himself, he must have been aware of the encouraging words of the prophet Haggai in the first reading.

To the Jews, the one place where God was present in their midst was the Temple of Jerusalem. When the Temple was destroyed, hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, Israel was completely devastated. The first reading speaks about the prophet Haggai encouraging God's people to be confident because despite the physical destruction of the Temple, God is still in their midst. He promised that they would see the glory of the Temple one day and they would receive peace as a mark of God's presence.

Jesus is convinced that because of His Father's steadfast love, injustice will not triumph. He will be raised to life. Despite his coming death, the Father's love will be in the midst of his people. Just as the Temple was destroyed and rebuilt, the Father will be faithful to His promise and He will raise Jesus. After the resurrection, the gospels are full of stories of Jesus' appearances where his first word is always "Peace be with you" just as Haggai prophesied. God is forever faithful to His promises.

How many times have we doubted God's promises especially in the midst of suffering? Do we keep the promises we make?

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

Nick Lucena

Joy Droke

Brenda

Fr. Bill McGarry, S.J.

… for the personal intentions of

Eric

Pauline

… In Memoriam: Teresita Enriquez

… for the eternal repose of the soul of Irma Lazatin Veloso. 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: Charito B Nañagas

Birthday: Vincent Rainier M. Pacheco

Prayer Intention: Lourdes Lim

In Memoriam (+): Yu Lin Ping & Amada Go Chua

In Memoriam (+): Menilo Uy (Jul 22, 1929 - Sep 27, 1991)

… 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. 

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