DAILY- HOMILY

December 6, 2013

Friday 1st Week of Advent - Year I

Memorial, Saint Nicholas, bishop

Is 29:17-24 / Ps 27: 1. 4. 13-14 / Mt 9:27-31

Isaiah 29:17-24

In a very short time, Lebanon will become a fruitful field and the fruitful field will be as a forest. On that day the deaf will hear the words of the book, and out of the dark and obscurity the eyes of the blind will see. The meek will find joy and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the scoffers gone forever, and all who plan to do evil will be cut down—those who by a word make you guilty, those who for a bribe can lay a snare and send home the just empty-handed. Therefore Yahweh, Abraham's redeemer, speaks concerning the people of Jacob: No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will his face grow pale. When he sees the work of my hands, his children again in his midst, they will sanctify my name, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit will understand; those who murmur will learn.

Matthew 9:27-31

As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, "Son of David, help us!" When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?" They answered, "Yes, sir!" Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "As you have believed, so let it be." And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, "Be careful that no one knows about this." But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about him through the whole area.

Reflection

In the gospel today, we find Jesus healing two blind men. When we reflect on this, there are at least two images that come to mind.

The first is the image of the two blind men. Fumbling, unsure, desperate, in a hurry to catch up with Jesus. At the same time, determined and hopeful that Jesus would stop for them. How did they know that Jesus was near? They must have felt Jesus was walking in front of them and so they desperately tried to catch up with him and called out loud for help. One senses the overwhelming feeling about them, that beneath their seemingly helpless lot was their hope and trust in Jesus to heal.

The second image is that of our Lord taking time to stop and listen to them. He knew what was in their hearts and asked them if they believed he could do what they asked from him. Jesus looked at them with love, and moved with compassion, he healed them. They believed, and he made them whole.

Many times in our own lives, we find ourselves in situations similar to that of the two blind men – in darkness, despair and uncertainty. But, like the two blind men, we are invited to trust and hope in Jesus. To call out to him unceasingly because he wants to take us out of our darkness, comfort us in our difficulties and pain. He looks to us with love and compassion and wants to make us whole.

My Lord, grant me the grace to trust and hope in you whatever the circumstance of my life. Keep me close to your heart and grant me the grace to be faithful to you. Make me whole Lord and grant me the courage to proclaim your healing love.

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

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

-                  Joy Droke

… for the personal intentions of Beny Chua

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

Wedding Anniversary: John & Terry Lo

Wedding Anniversary: Chu Arthur & Chu Angela

In Memoriam (+): Miguel Ymaz (Aug 12, 1943 - Dec 6, 2010)

… 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. 

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

December 5, 2013

Thursday 1st Week of Advent - Year I

Is 26:1-6 / Ps 118: 1 and 8-9. 19-21. 25-27a / Mt 7:21,24-27

Isaiah 26:1-6

On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city, he himself has set up walls and fortifications to protect us. Open the gates! Let the righteous nation enter, she who is firm in faithfulness. You keep in perfect peace the one of steadfast mind, the one who trusts in you. Trust in Yahweh forever, for Yahweh is an everlasting Rock. He brought down those who dwell on high, he laid low the lofty city, he razed it to the ground, leveled it to the dust, Now it is trampled the poor and the lowly tread upon it.

Matthew 7:21,24-27

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father. "So then, anyone who hears these words of mine, and acts accordingly, is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine, and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed, and what a terrible fall that was!"

Reflection

Advent marks the beginning of our liturgical year. Today's gospel passage speaks to us of Jesus' warning that not everyone heeds his guidance and teachings. We must listen and act properly. But, how then are we to act? Lest we find ourselves following the example given by Jesus where one built his house on sand.

As we start preparing to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, what comes to mind? Christmas carols have started to invade the airwaves. It seems preparations for our Savior's birth have been sidetracked due to blatant consumerism. Do we remain aware that our Advent season should be a period of reflection for this wonderful Gift from God? Come to think of it, we are like the man who built his house on sand if we do not heed his call to make room in our hearts for his life-giving word. We should revisit our personal preparation for something more solid. Maybe, we can also make some small sacrifices like setting aside canned goods for the poor or perhaps, helping those in need. For this will indeed make our preparation for Christmas more meaningful. And we can thus better appreciate the birth of Our Lord; we can now fully understand and live the reality of our faith where God became man for our sake.

Is our faith built on sand? Do we find joy only when material things are displayed or do we engage in the noise all around us? How can we have our faith built on rock? How do we strive to find our true foundation in Christ this Advent and always?

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: Myrra Famy

Birthday: Viky Roman

Wedding Anniversary: Keng Koc & Mary Co

… 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. 

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