DAILY- HOMILY

September 17, 2014
Wednesday 24th Week in Ordinary Time
[Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine]

1 Cor 12:31 - 13:13 / Ps 33:2-3, 4-5, 12 and 22 / Lk 17:31-35    

Reading: 1 Cor 12:31 - 13:13
Be that as it may, set your hearts on the most precious gifts, and I will show you a much better way. If I could speak all the human and angelic tongues, but had no love, I would only be sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, knowing secret things with all kinds of knowledge, and had faith great enough to remove mountains, but had no love, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I had to the poor, and even give up my body to be burned, if I am without love, it would be of no value to me. Love is patient, kind, without envy. It is not boastful or arrogant. It is not ill-mannered nor does it seek its own interest. Love overcomes anger and forgets offenses. It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love will never end. Prophecies may cease, tongues be silent and knowledge disappear. For knowledge grasps something of the truth and prophecy as well. And when what is perfect comes, everything imperfect will pass away. When I was a child I thought and reasoned like a child, but when I grew up, I gave up childish ways. Likewise, at present we see dimly as in a mirror, but then it shall be face to face. Now we know in part, but then I will know as I am known. Now we have faith, hope and love, these three, but the greatest of these is love.

Gospel: Luke 17: 31-35
On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don't go down into the house to get your belongings, and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again. I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it may be that one will be taken and the other left. Though two women are grinding corn together, one may be taken and the other left."

Reflection:
     "Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes (1 Cor 13:4-7)."
     In society, we see how sweethearts love, how parents love their children and vice versa, how friends love, even how criminals can have a kind of brotherly love. But St. Paul's description of love in the above passage is truly different and far more superior. For sure, none of us can love perfectly. Our love for others is usually limited or self-seeking. Often our love is possessive or conditional. But Christian love according to St. Paul is truly free of affectation, pure in intentions, self-giving and given to all and not just to some.  How pleasurable it would be if we could love in the same way.  A society that loves like that for sure has no problems it cannot solve. In truth, this kind of love can be found permanently in heaven. As Christians, let us strive to bring this love to our families, our neighborhoods and our church communities.     
     The gospel talks to us about the end of days when the Son of Man will come again. With the first reading in mind, we should look forward to the last days and pray we will be among those chosen to enter the heavenly kingdom. Knowing that it is a kingdom of LOVE, surely we will all desire to enter there.

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

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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