DAILY- HOMILY

November 20, 2013

Wednesday 33rd Week in Ordinary Time - Year I

2 Mac 7:1,20-31 / Ps 17: 1bcd. 5-6. 8b and 15 / Lk 19:11-28

2 Macabees 7:1,20-31

It happened also that seven brothers were arrested with their mother. The king had them scourged and flogged to force them to eat the flesh of a pig which was prohibited by the Law. More than all of them, their mother ought to be admired and remembered. She saw her seven sons die in a single day. But she endured it even with joy for she had put her hope in the Lord. Full of a noble sense of honor, she encouraged each one of them in the language of their ancestors. Her woman's heart was moved by manly courage, so she told them: "I wonder how you were born of me; it was not I who gave you breath and life, nor I who ordered the matter of your body. The Creator of the world who formed man in the beginning and ordered the unfolding of all creation shall in his mercy, give you back breath and life, since you now despise them for love of his laws." Antiochus thought that she was making fun of him and suspected that she had insulted him. As the youngest was still alive, the king tried to win him over not only with his words, but even promised to make him rich and happy, if he would abandon the traditions of his ancestors. He would make him his Friend and appoint him to a high position in the kingdom. But as the young man did not pay him any attention, the king ordered the mother to be brought in. He urged her to advise her son in order to save his life. After being asked twice by the king, she agreed to persuade her son. She bent over him and fooled the cruel tyrant by saying in her ancestral language: "My son, have pity on me. For nine months I carried you in my womb and suckled you for three years; I raised you up and educated you until this day. I ask you now, my son, that when you see the heavens, the earth and all that is in it, you know that God made all this from nothing, and the human race as well. Do not fear these executioners, but make yourself worthy of your brothers—accept death that you may again meet your brothers in the time of mercy." When she finished speaking, the young man said, "What are you waiting for? I do not obey the king's order but the precepts of the Law given by Moses to our ancestors. And you who have devised such tortures against the Hebrews, shall not escape the hands of God.

Luke 19:11-28

Jesus was now near Jerusalem, and the people with him thought that God's reign was about to appear. So as they were listening to him, Jesus went on to tell them a parable. He said, "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to assume regal authority, after which he planned to return home. Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds of silver. He said, 'Put this money to work until I get back.' But his compatriots, who disliked him, sent a delegation after him with this message, 'We do not want this man to be our king.' He returned, however, appointed as king. At once he sent for the servants, to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in, and reported, 'Sir, your pound of silver has earned ten more pounds of silver.' The master replied, 'Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself faithful in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.' The second reported, 'Sir, your pound of silver earned five more pounds of silver.' The master replied, 'And you, take charge of five cities!' The third came in, and said, 'Sir, here is your money, which I hid for safekeeping. I was afraid of you, for you are an exacting person: you take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.' The master replied, 'You, worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words! So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow? Why, then, did you not put my money on loan, so that, when I got back, I could have collected it with interest?' Then the master said to those standing by, 'Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.' But they objected, 'Sir, he already has ten pounds!' The master replied, 'I tell you, everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for my enemies, who did not want me to be their king, bring them in, and execute them right here in front of me!'" So Jesus spoke, and then he passed on ahead of them, on his way to Jerusalem.

Reflection

The gospel today presents the parable of the talents. Jesus gives the message: "To everyone who has will be given more, but anyone who has not will be deprived even of what he has."

The talents Jesus is referring to in the parable are the gifts of the Kingdom of God – all which makes a person grow in his Christian responsibility and spirituality which will lead him to his eternal reward in heaven. These talents are the capabilities of loving, of serving and of sharing. The servant who was given more talents made his talents grow the most. Among the three he was the most loving, generous, and self-giving. So the king was very happy with what he did and rewarded him abundantly. The second servant also made his talents grow, although not as much as the first. He loved his fellowmen and showed this love by serving them and sharing with them what he had. The king was also happy and rewarded him. But the third servant did not make use of his talents at all, out of fear, he said. Out of fear of what? Fear of losing what he had. He kept everything to himself. He was afraid to take risks in reaching out to others. He was selfish, indifferent, uncaring. The king was unhappy for what he did, reprimanded him, and did not give him any reward.

With whom do you relate yourself? Are you the first, second or third servant? Let us pray the Prayer for Generosity: Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous, to serve you as I should, to give without counting the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek for reward except that of knowing that I do your holy will. Amen.

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

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

… for the eternal repose of the souls of Carmen Raffinan. 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: Shirley D. Garcia

Birthday: Manny Mercado

In Memoriam (+): Charles Kang Lim (Oct 17, 1960 - Nov 20, 1997)

In Memoriam (+): Chua Sioc Yan

… 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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