DAILY- HOMILY

December 9, 2013

Monday 2^nd Week of Advent - Year I

Memorial, Saint Juan Diego

Is 35:1-10 / Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4 / Lk 5:17-26

Isaiah 35:1-10

Let the wilderness and the arid land rejoice, the desert be glad and blossom. Covered with flowers, it sings and shouts with joy, adorned with the splendor of Lebanon, the magnificence of Carmel and Sharon. They, my people, see the glory of Yahweh, the majesty of our God. Give vigor to weary hands and strength to enfeebled knees. Say to those who are afraid: "Have courage, do not fear. See, your God comes, demanding justice. He is the God who rewards, the God who comes to save you." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unsealed. Then will the lame leap as a hart and the tongue of the dumb sing and shout. For water will break out in the wilderness and streams gush forth from the desert. The thirsty ground will become a pool, the arid land springs of water. In the haunts where once reptiles lay, grass will grow with reeds and rushes. 8 There will be a highway which will be called The Way of Holiness; no one unclean will pass over it nor any wicked fool stray there. 9 No lion will be found there nor any beast of prey. Only the redeemed will walk there. 10 For the ransomed of Yahweh will return: with everlasting joy upon their heads, they will come to Zion singing, gladness and joy marching with them, while sorrow and sighing flee away.

Luke 5:17-26

One day Jesus was teaching, and many Pharisees and teachers of the Law had come from every part of Galilee and Judea, and even from Jerusalem. They were sitting there, while the power of the Lord was at work to heal the sick. Then some men brought a paralyzed man who lay on his mat. They tried to enter the house to place him before Jesus, but they couldn't find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof, and removing the tiles, they lowered him on his mat into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "My friend, your sins are forgiven." At once the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to wonder, "This man insults God! Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" But Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, "Why are you reacting like this? Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'? Now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." And Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home." At once the man stood before them. He took up the mat he had been lying on, and went home praising God. Amazement seized the people and they praised God. They were filled with a holy fear, and said, "What wonderful things we have seen today!"

Reflection

As a popular song goes, "we all get by with a little help from our friends". How many times have we been grateful for the light and deep conversations shared over a hearty meal? How thankful do we feel when during the most difficult times in our lives, our real friends console us with their presence? And how much more joyful do our lives become when we celebrate these little victories in the company of our loved ones?

We, too, may get paralyzed along the way in our pursuit for material comforts. We may have gotten lost in the empty promises of debauchery and ill-gotten gains. We find ourselves frozen in sin and despair. Thankfully, there are friends who care so much that they do all they can to help us. And true permanent healing can only be obtained through real repentance and a heart willing to change for the better.

Jesus was moved by the love and concern of true friends that he unequivocally proclaimed that our sins are forgiven. Good men and women have brought us home to him. If there are doubters out there, let them see that we can once again get up and walk. We are made whole by God's love and the outpouring of concern from those who only look out for our best interest.

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

-               Lorenzo Meoli

-               Eric

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

… for the personal intentions of Lina Magcamit

… Birthday: Maria Concepcion Billanes

… In Memoriam: Gloria C. Orbin

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

Birthday: Daryl Joe M. Ballesteros

Wedding Anniversary: Dr. Moises & Susan Soncuya

Wedding Anniversary: Jay & Cherry Javellana

… 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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