DAILY- HOMILY

January 28, 2014 Tuesday 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
2 Sm 6:12b-15, 17-19 / Ps 24:7, 8, 9, 10 / Mk 3: 31-35
[Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church]

Reading: 2 Sm 6: 12b-15, 17-19
King David was told that Yahweh had blessed the family of Obededom and all that belonged to him because of the ark of God, so he went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obededom to the city of David, rejoicing. After those who carried the ark of Yahweh had walked six paces, they sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. David whirled round dancing with all his heart before Yahweh, wearing a linen ephod, for he and all the Israelites brought up the ark of Yahweh, shouting joyfully and sounding the horn. They brought in the ark of Yahweh and laid it in its place in the tent which David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt and peace offerings before Yahweh. Once the offerings had been made, David blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of hosts, and distributed to each of them, to each man and woman of the entire assembly of Israel, a loaf of bread, a portion of meat and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.
   
Gospel: Mk 3:31-35
Then his mother and his brothers came. As they stood outside, they sent someone to call him. The crowd sitting around Jesus told him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you." He replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those who sat there he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.  Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me."

Reflection:
The first reading shows David and all Israel bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem in triumphal procession.  The Ark contained the tablets of the 10 commandments which God personally wrote on and gave to Moses.  For the Israelites, it was the most sacred thing in the world because it was the sign of God's election of Israel as His own people so they adored the Ark which contained the tablets. The Ark was also a symbol of God's presence among men and so its religious significance was paramount. So when it was brought into Jerusalem, the whole community rejoiced, danced and sang in total abandon. When have we truly been happy beyond compare because of the Lord? Do we always welcome His presence in our lives, even if this means to give up some things?  Have you ever been a fool for Christ as David did when he danced with abandon as the Ark was being brought to Jerusalem? 

The gospel message is very striking.  Jesus puts spiritual ties as more important than blood relationship.  Family is important but doing the will of God is more important. Man was created to know God, to love Him and to serve Him. The family is the place where a man learns to do God's will.  So if the family has fulfilled its mission, then we will have many people who are always doing things for God and their fellowmen. Jesus also grew up in a family and there he was taught to love God above all things. When we love God first, we are already loving our families because we are becoming bridges of hope for them and saving them even if they do not care so much for God. We must believe that a Christian's acts always save others, including his family.

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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