DAILY- HOMILY

August 18, 2014
Monday 20TH Week in Ordinary Time
[Memorial, St. Albert Hurtado Cruchaga]

Ez 24: 15-23 / Dt 32: 18-19, 20, 21/ Mt 19: 16-22

Reading: Ez 24: 15-23
The word of Yahweh came to me in these terms, "Son of man, I am about to suddenly take from you the delight of your eyes, but you are not to lament or weep or let your tears flow. Groan in silence and do not mourn for the dead; wear your turban, put on your sandals, do not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners." I spoke to the people in the morning and my wife died that evening. The next morning I did as I had been commanded. Then the people said to me: "Explain to us the meaning of your actions." I said to them, "The word of Yahweh came to me in these terms: 'Say to Israel: I am about to profane my sanctuary, your pride, the delight of your eyes for which you long. The sons and daughters you left behind will also fall by the sword, but you will do as I have done: you will not cover your beard or eat the customary food of mourners; you will keep your turbans on your heads and sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep. Instead, because of your sin, you will waste away and groan among yourselves.   

Gospel: Matthew 19: 16 - 22
It was then that a young man approached him and asked, "Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Only one is Good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments." The young man said, "Which commandments?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?" Jesus answered, "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me." On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth.

Reflection:
     The rich young man seems to be a good Christian because he is happy to tell Jesus he obeys the ten commandments. But why is Jesus looking for something more?  In Mt 5:3, Jesus says,  "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven," the first of the eight beatitudes he taught n his sermon on the mount. To be poor in spirit is to have no attachment to our possessions. This is where the rich young man has a problem. One does not have to be financially poor to be poor in spirit. In Isaiah 61:1-3 Jesus said,  "The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed me to bring the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to bind broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to captives, freedom to those languishing in prison; to announce the year of Yahweh's favour, to give comfort to all who grieve." And in Matthew 25: 31-46 Jesus says, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, take your heritage, the Kingdom prepared for you... for I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; I was naked and you clothed me; sick and you visited me... I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." It is clear that it is not enough to obey the ten commandments. We have a responsibility to our neighbor who is our brother or sister in Christ. We are expected to do the seven practices of charity if we are to gain eternal life.
     How do we treat our house help?  The workers in our businesses? Are their lives improving because of us or worsening because of us? What do we do to help victims of natural disasters?  In Caritas Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI writes: "Charity demands justice: recognition and respect for the legitimate rights of the individuals and peoples. Only in charity, illuminated by the light of reason and faith, is it possible to pursue development goals that possess a more humane and humanizing value." Let us work together to give what is just to the poor around us.

Prayer Requests:
We pray ...
... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn
... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary
... for families who are in need of healing
... for world peace and reconciliation
... for the birthday intentions of Marlyne Uy

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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