DAILY- HOMILY

December 23, 2013

Monday 4^th Week of Advent - Year I

Memorial, Saint John of Kanty, priest

Mal 3:1-4,23-24 / Ps 25: 4-5ab. 8-9. 10 and 14 / Lk 1:57-66

Malachi 3:1-4,23-24

Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching. He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. Then Yahweh will accept with pleas ure the offering of Judah and Jeru salem, as in former days. I am going to send you the prophet Elijah before the day of Yahweh comes, for it will be a great and terrible day. He will rec- oncile parents with their children, and the children with their parents, so that I may not have to curse this land when I come."

Luke 1:57-66

When the time came for Elizabeth, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the merciful Lord had done a wonderful thing for her, and they rejoiced with her. When, on the eighth day, they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "But no one in your family has that name!" and they asked the father, by means of signs, for the name he wanted to give him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet, and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were very surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again, and his first words were in praise of God. A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood, and throughout the hill country of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds, and wondered, "What will this child be?" For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

Reflection

When children are born and named, people are left wondering what will become of them in the future. In John's situation, there was the challenge of age to overcome and when the happy birth occurred, the name was even debated upon. But, when the mute father could speak once again, the name had been confirmed, all who witnessed these events were left amazed.

This is quite similar to the origin stories of our comic book superheroes. What happened to them when they were born? Did they manifest their special powers at that time or did it happen later on? What were some interesting or notable incidents that made people wonder about the future of this particular being?

Even if John the Baptist's costume would just be made out of camel hair, the role he was to portray remains quite impressive. Even he would play the part of a herald announcing the arrival of our King, our Savior. That's why when we reflectively look back at his birth story, for hindsight and greater appreciation, we also witness and confirm the amazing things he would accomplish.

Let not our inherent prejudices and biases distort this picture of salvation. There could have been a grander welcoming for Our Lord, but God decided to course his announcement and preparation through John. The Father uses the most unconventional of methods to help us realize that miracles do happen in the most unexpected of circumstances. John was just the front act. Let us continue to prepare ourselves for the main event. We pray that we may also be more open to witness the wonderful things that Jesus will do in our lives.

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

-               Eric

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

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

-               Birthday: Susan Trinidad

-               Birthday: Joy Chua

-               Birthday: Ruby Chua

-               In Memoriam (+): Silvestre Limsui

… 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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