DAILY- HOMILY

November 29, 2013

Friday 34^th Week in Ordinary Time- Year I

Dn 7:2-14 / Dn 3: 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81 / Lk 21:29-33

Daniel 7:2-14

Daniel said, "I saw the following in my vision: the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, and four great beasts, each one different from the other, came out of the sea. The first was like a lion with eagle's wings. As I looked at it, its wings were torn off. It was lifted up from the ground, stood up on its feet like a man, and was given a human heart. The second was a beast like a bear; it was raised up on one side and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told: Go and devour much flesh. I went on looking and saw another beast like a leopard with four wings on its back; it had four heads and dominion was given to it. I continued seeing my visions of the night and saw a terrible fourth beast. It was fear ful and extraordinarily strong; it had great iron teeth; it ate, tore into pieces, and crushed underfoot whatever remained. It was different from the previous beasts and had ten horns. I was looking at the horns, when another small horn sprang among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for the new. It had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that uttered insolent words. I looked and saw the following: Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire. A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him and a countless multitude stood before him. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book. But as I remembered the haughty words of the horn with human eyes and mouth which I had seen before, this animal was killed before my eyes, and its body destroyed and cast into the fire. Dominion was taken from the other animals, though they were allowed to stay alive for a time, until the fixed time. I continued watching the nocturnal vision: One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence. Dominion, honor and kingship were given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.

Luke 21:29-33

And Jesus added this comparison, "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Reflection

Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to remind us to be aware of signs around us. When we see a fig tree's buds open and its leaves appearing, we know that summer is near. When the clouds turn dark, we know that it is going to rain. When the downpour gets heavy, we can foresee that some places are bound to get flooded. Some of us prepare for the worst. Some cower in fear. We think of the end and we run to our long-forgotten God. We make promises that we will never abandon Him again. Some cling to Him only when they feel helpless and hopeless, but when things get better, they go back to their old, forgetful ways. How easily we forget God amidst the material world we live in. But God's word remains. Things may fall apart, disasters and wars may come, Heaven and earth may pass away, but God is love and His love endures forever. Can we ask for more?

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

-                 Annamaria and Paulo Galli 

-                  Lorenzo Meoli

-                  Joy Droke

-                  Renan Lacida, Ramon Domingo, Karren Anne Domingo

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

… for the personal intentions of

-                  Beny Chua

-                  Pauline

In Thanksgiving: Castillo family

In Memoriam:  Soterania Santiago

… for the eternal repose of the souls of

-                  Elsa Supsup

-                  Bong Lacida, Rowena Lacida-Yap, Kaye Factoran, Jennifer Santos, XJ Javier, Jess Garces, Grace Mabunay-Bonggalo, Ernesto Apacible, Luding Grindulo, Gelic Red, Raul Lacida, Nellie Lacida

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. Lena Pacheco del Rosario

In Memoriam (+): So Ching Dim

… 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:

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   |  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. 

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

November 28, 2013

Thursday 34^th Week in Ordinary Time- Year I

Dn 6:12-28 / Dn 3: 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74 / Lk 21:20-28

Daniel 6:12-28

So they went to the king and reminded him about the prohibition, "O king, did you not publish a decree that anyone who prays or makes petition to any god or man except to you would be thrown into the lions' den?" The king answered, "Yes, and the decree stands, in accordance with Medo-Persian laws which cannot be altered or annulled." Then they said, "But the Jewish exile Daniel pays no attention to you and to your decree. Three times a day he still prays to some god other than you." Greatly aggrieved at what he heard, the king decided to help Daniel. He made every effort till sundown to save him. But the men kept coming to him and insisting, "Remember, O king, that under the Medo-Persian laws every decree or prohibition issued by the king is irrevocable." The king, therefore, could not help giving the order that Daniel be brought and thrown into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve faithfully, save you." A stone was placed at the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with that of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might remain unchanged. Then the king returned to his palace and spent a sleepless night, refusing food and entertainment. Very early next morning, he rose and hurried to the lions' den. As he came near he called in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, did your God whom you serve faithfully save you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "Live forever, O king! My God sent his angel who closed the lions' mouths so that they did not hurt me. God did that because I am innocent in his sight. Neither have I wronged you, O king." The king felt very glad and ordered Daniel released from the lions' den. No wound was found on him for he had trusted in his God. At the king's order, the men who had accused Daniel were thrown into the lions' den, together with their wives and children. No sooner had they reached the floor of the den than the lions lunged at them and tore them to pieces. King Darius wrote to the nations, to peoples of every language, "Peace to you all! I decree that throughout my kingdom people should reverence and fear the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God, and forever he endures; his kingdom will not be crushed, his dominion will never cease. He rescues and he delivers; he performs signs and wonders both in heaven and on earth. And he came to Daniel's rescue saving him from the lions' tooth and claw." Daniel greatly prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Luke 21:20-28

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the Time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. If you are in Judea, flee to the mountains! If you are in Jerusalem, leave! If you are outside the city, don't enter it! For these will be the days of its punishment, and all that was announced in the Scriptures will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women, and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and wrath upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword, or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans, until the Time of the pagans is fulfilled. Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, perplexed when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. Then, at that Time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. So, when you see things begin to happen, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."

Reflection

Indeed this gospel speaks of a foreboding danger. There is destruction everywhere - nations in tumult, wars, civil wars, nations fighting against each other. Are these not existing now? And look at nature in its revenge for the misuse of creatures and for lack of good stewardship. It cannot be reversed! So many tsunamis in other countries, earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes, hurricanes. Is this the end? Have we come to the end times?

It is reassuring ... the word of Christ. All will pass away, but his words will never pass away. We are reminded to watch and pray in order to be able to survive all that is going to happen. The time is short, time given to us to respect and take care of Mother Earth and to regain the creation which our hands have destroyed.

Our lives are in your hands, O Lord, protect the works of your hands.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

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

… for the speedy recovery and healing of

-                  Lorenzo Meoli  

-                  Joy Droke

-                  Renan Lacida, Ramon Domingo, Karren Anne Domingo

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

… for the personal intentions of

-                  Beny Chua

-                  Pauline

In Thanksgiving: Castillo family

In Memoriam:  Soterania Santiago

… for the eternal repose of the souls of

-                  Elsa Supsup

-                  Bong Lacida, Rowena Lacida-Yap, Kaye Factoran, Jennifer Santos, XJ Javier, Jess Garces, Grace Mabunay-Bonggalo, Ernesto Apacible, Luding Grindulo, Gelic Red, Raul Lacida, Nellie Lacida

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.

… 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. 

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