DAILY- HOMILY

February 4, 2014 

Tuesday 4th Week in Ordinary Time

2 Sm 18: 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30 - 19:3 / Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 / Mk 5: 21-43

[St. John de Brito, St. Jacques Berthieu, Priests and Companions; Bl. Rudolf Acquaviva, Priest and Companion, Martyr]

Reading: 2 Sm 18: 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30 - 19:3  

Absalom was riding a mule and happened to meet the guards of David. As the mule passed under the thick branches of a big oak tree, his head was caught in the oak tree and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule he was riding went its way. 

Someone reported to Joab, "I saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree." So he took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the oak tree. David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman posted at the roof of the gate, on the wall, saw a man running alone. So he called out and reported to the king who said, "If he is alone, he brings good news." So the king said, "Move away and stand here." He moved aside and stayed there. The king was greatly disturbed and, going up to the room over the gate, he wept and said, "O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!" It was reported to Joab, "The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." So the victory that day turned into mourning for all the people, when they heard that the king was grieving over his son.

Gospel: Mk 5:21-43 

Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake and while he was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and seeing Jesus, threw himself at his feet and asked him earnestly, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her so that she may get well and live." Jesus went with him and many people followed, pressing from every side. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Since she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind him and touched his cloak thinking, "If I just touch his clothing, I shall get well." Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint. But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" His disciples answered, "You see how the people are crowding around you. Why do you ask who touched you?" But he kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward trembling and afraid. She knelt before him and told him the whole truth. Then Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace and be free of this illness." While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official's house to inform him, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?" But Jesus ignored what they said and told the official, "Do not fear, just believe." And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered and said to them, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him. But Jesus sent them outside and went with the child's father and mother and his companions into the room where the child lay. Taking her by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha kumi!" which means: "Little girl, get up!" The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were astonished, greatly astonished. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her something to eat.

Reflection:

In the first reading, Absalom, the son of King David who led a rebellion against his father, is slain in battle. David mourns greatly the loss of his son even though he had been his enemy.  David's attitude is commendable. We should not hate our enemies. On the contrary, Jesus tells us to love them. And when they are confounded, we should hope that they will repent of their evil deeds. God always hopes for the repentance of the wicked man so that he may be converted and live. 

In the gospel, we see how faith can do wonders. Whatever suffering or tragedy we encounter in life we should not despair and feel hopeless. We must trust in the Lord who can turn things around for us if he wants to. He can cure our sicknesses, be they physical or spiritual.  But we must believe in his power to do so. Yet even if things do not totally get better, we should continue seeking God's message for us in our difficulties. Only then do we become true followers of Jesus trusting in him both in times of successes and failures.

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

     *  Christine Aurelio, Bert Lansigan

... for the repose of 

     *  Pedro Balilla, Crisanta Balilla, Boyet Balilla, Remedios Balilla, Dalmacio Balilla and Noel Raquel

... for the intentions of 

     *  Beny Chua

... 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!a

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