DAILY- HOMILY

November 25, 2013

Monday 34^th Week in Ordinary Time- Year I

Memorial, Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Dn 1:1-6,8-20 / Dn 3: 52. 53. 54. 55. 56 /Lk 21:1-4

Daniel 1:1-6,8-20

In the third year of Jehoiakim's reign as king of Judah, king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged Jerusalem. The Lord delivered into his hands king Jehoiakim of Judah, and some of the vessels from the temple of God as well. These he carried off to the land of Shinar and placed in the treasure house of his god. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his chief eunuch Ashpenaz to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility: young men without physical defect, handsome, intelligent and wise, well-informed, quick to learn and understand, and suitable for service in the king's palace. They were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans. They were allotted a daily portion of food and wine from the king's table and were to be trained for three years, after which they were to enter the king's service. Among these were young men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, As Daniel was resolved not to make himself unclean with the king's food or wine, he begged the chief eunuch to spare him this defilement. By the grace of God, the chief eunuch had been sympathetic to Daniel, but he was afraid of the king, and so he said, "If the king, who has allotted your food and drink, sees that you look more emaciated than the other young men of your age, he might think ill of me. It will put my life in danger to give in to your wish." Daniel then turned to the steward whom the chief eunuch had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. "Please test your servants for ten days. Give us only vegetables to eat and water to drink, and see how we look in comparison with the young men who eat food from the king's table. Then treat us in accordance with what you see." The steward agreed and tested them for ten days, at the end of which they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate the king's food. So the steward continued to give them vegetables instead of the choice food and wine. To these four youths God gave wisdom and proficiency in literature, and to Daniel the gift of interpreting visions and dreams. At the end of the period set by the king for the youths' training, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them and found none to equal Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These four became members of the king's court. In any matter of wisdom and discernment about which the king consulted, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

Luke 21:1-4

Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury of the Temple. He also saw a poor widow, who dropped in two small coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. For all of them gave an offering from their plenty; but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on."

Reflection

In today's gospel Jesus reminds us that a gift given out of love is the most precious in his sight. While the amount of money the poor widow gave may appear inconsequential compared to the gifts of the rich, she contributed all she had in complete faith. An offering given out of love and sacrifice is priceless.

Let us reflect on the words of the song "Lord, I Offer My Life to You"

All that I am, all that I have

I lay them down before you, oh Lord

All my regrets, all my acclaims

The joy and the pain, I'm making them yours

Lord, I offer my life to you

Everything I've been through

Use it for your glory

Lord, I offer my days to you

Lifting my praise to you

As a pleasing sacrifice

Lord I offer you my life - Hillsong

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of Don Dinning's brother

… for the eternal repose of the soul of Elsa Supsup. 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: Ma. Lucila C. Cruz

Birthday: Dra. Zenaida G. Bagabaldo

Birthday: Flora Tong

Wedding Anniversary: Glen & Dottie Jao

In Memoriam (+): Te O. Tong

… 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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