Thursday, February 06, 2014

 

Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time

February 6, 2014 
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs 2: 1-4,10,12 / 1 Chr 29: 10,11ab,11d-12a,12cd / Mk 6: 7-13
 [Memorial Paul Miki & Companions; St. Pedro Bautista]

Reading: 1 Kgs 2: 1-4,10,12
When David was about to die, he gave his son Solomon this instruction, "I am about to go the way of all creatures. Be strong and show yourself a man. Keep the commandments of Yahweh your God and walk in his ways. Keep his statutes, his commands, his ordinances and declarations written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do and wherever you go. If you do so, Yahweh will fulfill the promise he made to me: 'If your sons take care to walk before me faithfully with their whole heart and their whole soul, you shall always have one of your descendants on the throne of Israel.' Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father and his reign was firmly established.   

Gospel: Mk 6: 7-13
He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. And he ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic. And he added, "In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place. If any place doesn't receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them." So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them. 

Reflection:
To bring no provisions when going on a journey is really unthinkable. If we were in the place of the disciples, how would we have reacted? We would certainly welcome being sent on a mission with another companion, but why did our Lord give such an impractical stipulation as to "take nothing for the journey?" These two conditions which the Lord imposed on his disciples were meant to inculcate in his followers (and that includes us today) the right disposition or attitude in the work we are called to do. It is a way of emptying ourselves to rely on others which is a very humbling experience. What a good way to teach us faith and trust in every aspect of our life. As for the command to go with a companion, not only is it an encouragement to go to unknown territories with a supportive companion, but it also awakens in us the realization that in everything we do, we are part of a much greater undertaking. Can we be less attached to our talents, our achievements, our treasure, knowing that all of these are God's gifts that must be shared with our needy brothers, thus reinforcing the teachings on love?

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:

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
   |            http://www.marythequeen.org
   |  Distributed free and for personal use only. 
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Friday 4th Week in Ordinary Time

February 7, 2014 
Friday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Sir 47: 2-11/ Ps 18: 31, 47 and 50, 51/ Mk 6: 14-29

Reading: Sir 47: 2-11   
As fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was chosen from among the Israelites. He played with lions and bears as if they were lambs or young goats. He was still young when he slew a giant to restore the honor of his people; with a sling he aimed a stone that killed the arrogant Goliath. He invoked the Lord Most High, who gave him strength to slay a mighty warrior, and so exalt the power of his people. So they glorified him for his ten thousands and praised him as a blessing from the Lord when he was chosen king. For he wiped out his enemies on all sides and annihilated his adversaries, the Philistines, crushing their power forever. In all that he did he gave thanks to the Most High, and showed his love for his Maker by singing with all his heart. He placed singers accompanied by harps before the altar to make beautiful music; he gave splendor to feasts and even greater magnificence to the more solemn occasions, exalting the holy Name of the Lord and having the sanctuary ring with his praises from early morning. The Lord forgave David's sins and established his power forever; he made a covenant with him for the benefit of the kings and gave him a glorious throne in Israel.   

Gospel: Mk 6: 14-29
King Herod also heard about Jesus because his name had become well-known. Some people said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others thought, "He is Elijah," and others, "He is a prophet like the prophets of times past." When Herod was told of this, he thought: "I had John beheaded, yet he has risen from the dead!" For this is what had happened. Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her and John had told him, "It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him. Herodias had her chance on Herod's birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you." And he went so far as to say with many oaths, "I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom." She went out to consult her mother, "What shall I ask for?" The mother replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried to the king and made her request: "I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist, here and now, on a dish." The king was very displeased, but he would not refuse in front of his guests because of his oaths. So he sent one of the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded John in prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and buried it.

Reflection:
There are instances in our life that we blind ourselves to the truth to avoid doing what is right. We give ourselves reasons and excuses to turn away from the truth.  Sometimes not even because the truth is painful but because it might hinder us in our search for fame and fortune, or entail us to deprive ourselves of pleasure and fun, or force us to move out of our comfort zone. Look back and remember a time in your life when you turned you back on truth and took the easy road.  How did that affect your life? 

When we find it hard to face truth, we must remember Jesus' words "I am the way, the truth, and the life" Meditate on these words and be assured that God will give us the strength and the courage to face our truths with grace.

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
   |            http://www.marythequeen.org
   |  Distributed free and for personal use only. 
  +================================================+



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