DAILY- HOMILY

October 16, 2014

Thursday 28th Week in Ordinary Time

[St. Hedwig; St. Margaret Mary Alacoque]

Eph 1:1-10 / Ps 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 / Lk 11: 47-54 

Reading: Eph 1:1-10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, to you who share Christian faith: receive grace and peace from God our Father and from Jesus the Lord. Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing. God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in his presence. From eternity he destined us in love to be his adopted sons and daughters through Christ Jesus, thus fulfilling his free and generous will. This goal suited him: that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved might finally receive all glory and praise. For in Christ we obtain freedom, sealed by his blood, and have the forgiveness of sins. In this appears the greatness of his grace, which he lavished on us. In all wisdom and understanding, God has made known to us his mysterious design, in accordance with his loving-kindness in Christ. In him and under him God wanted to unite, when the fullness of time had come, everything in heaven and on earth.

Luke 11: 47-54 

A curse is on you, for you build memorials to the prophets your ancestors killed. So you approve and agree with what your ancestors did. Is it not so? They got rid of the prophets, and now you can build!" (The Wisdom of God also said,) "I will send prophets and apostles and this people will kill and persecute some of them. But the present generation will have to answer for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, the people of this time will have to answer for them all. A curse is on you, teachers of the Law, for you have taken the key of knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you prevented others from entering." As Jesus left that place, the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to harass him, asking him endless questions, setting traps to catch him in something he might say.

Reflection:

      The need for children to obey their parents is something that is taught and handed down from following certain rules or set regulations that our culture has developed over time.  However, on a deeper level obedience comes with love born out of a relationship. The Pharisees ascribe to the strict observance of fixed laws and determine them to be absolute and without any room for further reflection towards developing a more intimate relationship with God. God cannot be understood except through the relationships which create openness of hearts and minds. This can be the key to strengthening our faith and belief in the things we ought to do and the things we can change to be able to live and love according to God's will for us. Children who heed the good advice of parents are spared of the wayward and evil path. Parents know this from experience and make great effort and sacrifice in order that their children may learn this for their own good. To obey with love is an act beyond what is required and ensures peace and harmony in a life that conforms to God's will. 

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 for those who prepare and take their exams:

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

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

... for the eternal repose of Leonardo Celestial Jr.

Have a good day!

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