DAILY- HOMILY

November 27, 2014

Thursday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

{The Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23; 19: 1-3, 9a / Ps 100: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5 / Lk 21: 20-28

Reading: Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23; 19: 1-3, 9a

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. So great was his authority that the whole earth was lit up with his glory. In a strong voice he cried out: "Fallen is Babylon the great! Fallen! She has become a haunt of demons, a lodge for every unclean spirit, a nest for any filthy and disgusting bird. A powerful angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: "With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, never again to be seen. Never again will tunes of harpists, minstrels, trumpeters and flutists be heard in you. Never again will an artisan of any trade be found in you. Never again will the noise of the mill be heard. Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never again be heard in you. Because your traders were the world's great and you led the nations astray by your magic spell. After this I heard what sounded like the loud singing of a great assembly in heaven: Alleluia! Salvation, glory and might belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the world with her adultery. He has avenged his servants' blood shed by her hand in harlotry. Once more they sang: Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever! Then the angel told me, "Write: Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb." 

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city. For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled. Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."

Reflection:

     Disaster followed by Deliverance. This is the theme of the gospel reading. Instead of focusing on the disaster, let us set our attention towards deliverance. This has reference to those who believe because seeing God can now result in life.  "And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Lk 21:22;27) We could be excited and anxious, fearful and joyful as we are reminded of the coming of our Lord.  Remembering his words, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.' (John 14:27), we become reassured of the peace and calm when we are one with the Lord. As if getting ready for a big wedding feast, we make preparations to be sure everything goes well. We get anxious and worried that things might not go the way they should. We make a checklist and follow what needs to be done. We want to be at our best for the wedding. Just like in the wedding we would like to be our best for the Lord.  He has given us the checklist, his commandments. We then, look back and examine ourselves in our relationship with the Lord and others. And what could be a better way to be at our best.... to be one with the Lord and our brethren through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Indeed, "Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9a)

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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