DAILY- HOMILY

December 3, 2013

Tuesday 1st Week of Advent - Year I

Memorial, Saint Francis Xavier, priest

Is 11:1-10 / Ps 72: 1-2. 7-8. 12-13. 17 / Lk 10:21-24

Isaiah 11:1-10

From the stump of Jesse a shoot will come forth; from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him— a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and power, a Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Not by appearances will he judge, nor by what is said must he decide, but with justice he will judge the poor and with righteousness decide for the meek. Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor, and the breath of his lips slay the wicked. Justice will be the girdle of his waist, truth the girdle of his loins. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will rest beside the kid, the calf and the lion cub will feed together and a little child will lead them. Befriending each other, the cow and the bear will see their young ones lie down together. Like cattle, the lion will eat hay. By the cobra's den the infant will play. The child will put his hand into the viper's lair. No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain, for as water fills the sea the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord. 10 On that day the "Root of Jesse" will be raised as a signal for the nations. The people will come in search of him, thus making his dwelling place glorious.

Luke 10:21-24

At that time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to little ones. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have been given all things by my Father, so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately, "Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see, but did not see it; and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

Reflection

It is a gift to be chosen to partake of the divine revelation that God wishes to share with those He wants. Who are those who listen to the word of God and receive a special enlightenment while others don't understand anything? It is a matter of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind – no one knows where it comes from and no one knows where it is going. The Son of God chooses to whom he wants to reveal his face. Many think that those who are chosen are those who deserve, or those who want, and probably it is simply the choice of the Son. Many are called, but few are chosen. And those chosen are not those who are worthy or special, but just the little ones that the Lord wants. "Little ones" means that those who have little securities and little defenses. They are the poor and humble ones who are available and who allow some space in their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. Those who are proud and haughty and those who cling to their gods and possessions will have no space for the Good News. As proclaimed in Isaiah, they have ears but cannot hear, eyes but cannot see. When our senses are obstructed by our attachments to the world, they cannot fathom the Holy Spirit.

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

-               Lorenzo Meoli

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

… for the personal intentions of Beny Chua

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

Birthday: Leonida G. Casiano

Birthday: Cathy L. Diokno

… 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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