DAILY- HOMILY

Tuesday 4^th Week of Advent - Year I

2 S 7:1-5,8-11,16 / Ps 89: 2-3. 4-5. 27 and 29 / Lk 1:67-79

2 S 7:1-5,8-11,16

When the king had settled in his palace and Yahweh had rid him of all his surrounding enemies, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I live in a house of cedar but the Ark of God is housed in a tent." Nathan replied, "Do as it seems fit to you for Yahweh is with you." But that very night, Yahweh's word came to Nathan, "Go and tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh says: Are you able to build a house for me to live in? Now you will tell my servant David, this is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the sheep, to make you commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, cutting down all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great as the name of the great ones on earth. I will provide a place for my people Israel and plant them that they may live there in peace. They shall no longer be harassed, nor shall wicked men oppress them as before. From the time when I appointed judges over my people Is- rael it is only to you that I have given rest from all your enemies. Yahweh also tells you that he will build you a house. Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm."

Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people. In the house of David his servant, he has raised up for us a victorious Savior; as he promised through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes. He has shown mercy to our fathers; and remembered his holy covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham, our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might serve him fearlessly, as a holy and righteous people, all the days of our lives. And you, my child, shall be called prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord to prepare the way for him, and to enable his people to know of their salvation, when he comes to forgive their sins. This is the work of the mercy of our God, who comes from on high as a rising sun, shining on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guiding our feet into the way of peace."

Reflection

The gospel contains the first words that Zechariah uttered after recovering from being dumb and unable to speak. After Elizabeth gave birth to John, Zechariah sang this canticle now known as the Benedictus, which is proclaimed or sung after the Morning Prayer found in the Psalter. From his disbelief, he has discovered the great power of God, in fulfilling all His promises. Our mouths were created for one primary purpose which is to give praise to God for all His wonders. It is therefore not surprising that the morning prayer starts with the invitatory "O Lord, OPEN my lips" and the responsory is " and my mouth will proclaim your praise." Our duty and responsibility as Christians to praise the Lord at all times, not with just mere lip service, but with facts, as Zechariah did. Our history of salvation is a living proof of God's faithfulness. Zechariah, narrates with concrete experiences. He supports this praise with testimonies of Abraham, of David, and his own experience. The state of being dumb was preparing him for this great moment of professing his exultation for God's great mercy and salvation for man. Let us not miss the opportunity to extol the greatness of God when given the chance. Let us not be ashamed of our faith, instead as Pope John Paul II often said: Let us be proud of our faith.

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 the personal intentions of Beny Chua

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

-                  Birthday: Acero Alandel

-                  Birthday: Alice U. Uy

-                  In Memoriam (+): Mariano R. S. Lim (Sept 10, 1906 - Dec 24, 1994)

… 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!