DAILY- HOMILY

December 27, 2014

Saturday 

[Feast, St. John, Apostle and Evangelist]

1 Jn 1: 1-4 / Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12/ Jn 20: 1a and 2-8 

Reading: 1 Jn 1: 1-4

This is what has been from the beginning, and what we have heard and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life… The Life made itself known, we have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness, and we are telling you of it. It was with the Father and made himself known to us. So we tell you what we have seen and heard, that you may be in fellowship with us, and us, with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. And we write this that our joy may be complete.

Gospel: John 20: 1a, 2-8  

Now, on the ?rst day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away. She ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don't know where they have laid him." Peter then set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple out-ran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying flat,  but he did not enter. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered the tomb; he, too, saw the linen cloths lying flat.  The napkin, which had been around his head, was not lying flat like the other linen cloths, but lay rolled up in its place. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.

Reflection:

     We want so much to believe. When we see our hospitalized loved one free of intravenous tubes and the bed sheets are neatly folded, we are so happy to have him or her well and back to normal. When an email arrives telling us that our relative is okay, we cling on to that for hope. We only want to believe in what's best for the ones who mean so much to us.

     Were the disciples, the closest friends of Our Lord deluding themselves? Probably, but they were also filled with joy and hope. Jesus told him that death wouldn't overcome him and the burial cloths folded away only proved that for his followers.  He promised that he'd be back and he kept that promise.

     When someone passes on, it seems like we won't be ever reunited with them. Because of Our Lord's resurrection, with his help, love will bring us together once again. The hammer blow didn't stifle the love of God from renewing our relationship with him. 

 Only when we so choose to believe can this love be brought to fruition. If we remain caught up in our despair, then we wouldn't be able to fully realize that love was there all along. As long as we hold on to love, in some way, God makes everything work out. He knows how to keep his promises.

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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following: 

  +================================================+

   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

  +================================================+