DAILY- HOMILY

October 2, 2014

Thursday 26th Week in Ordinary Time

[Memorial, The Holy Guardian Angels]

Jb 19: 21-27 / Ps 27: 7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14 / Mt 18: 1-5, 10 

Reading: Jb 19: 21-27

Have pity my friends, have pity, for God's hand has struck me! Why do you hound me as God does? Will you never have enough of my flesh? Oh, that my words were written, or recorded on bronze with an iron tool, a chisel or engraved forever on rock! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and he, the last, will take his stand on earth I will be there behind my skin, and in my flesh I shall see God. With my own eyes I shall see him - I and not another. How my heart yearns!

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, "I assure you that unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever becomes lowly like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child in my name receives me.  See that you do not despise any of these little ones, for I tell you: their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.

Reflection:

           We wish all of us would have the hearts of little children. What makes children pleasing to God is their simple love, dependence, innocence, and trust in those who nurture them.  We know that God provides for us, nurtures us and takes good care of us. Just like little children who grow as time passes by, God wants each one of us to also grow in our relationship with Him. Just like little children who express their needs to their parents, God also wants us to have an intimate conversation with Him. Just as little children who give their full trust in their parents, God also wants us to give our full trust in Him. Because we have been conditioned by worldly behaviour, we tend to rely more on our own abilities and act as if we are masters in our own right and have no need for God. It seems prevalent among those belonging to the top echelons of society, those who are spoiled by the sense of entitlement, to have everything handed to them on a silver platter. Let us not forget that none of our plans can bear fruit without God's blessings. If we truly believe in this, then we will be prompted to share our blessings with the least of our brethren - the street children roaming the streets daily selling "sampaguita" or those asking for alms.  We must see Jesus in others in order to change our attitude towards the poor and those dependent on assistance. How we react and think is very much influenced by our pessimism. Unless we change our attitudes towards the poor and helpless, we can never see God. We should never despise them just as God never despises us. Instead, we should look at them with compassion just as God looks at us with mercy and compassion. Isn't it time that we should collectively do something in order to alleviate their present condition just as God helps us with our daily concerns? This is God's mandate to us. He loves all of the street children and He expects us to love them the way we love our own children. 

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 wisdom, perseverance and clarity of mind as they prepare and take their exams:

     * Dennis Puno who takes the Mechanical Engineering Board Exams on October 3 - 4, 2014

     * Karen Tuala who takes the bar exams on the coming four (4) consecutive weekends

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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