DAILY- HOMILY

July 15, 2014
Tuesday 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Memorial, Saint Bonaventure]

Is 7:1-9  / Ps 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8 / Mt 11:20-24

Reading: Is 7:1-9 
When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, laid siege to Jerusalem but they were unable to capture it. When the news reached the house of David, "Aram's troops are encamped in Ephraim," the heart of the king and the hearts of the people trembled as the trees of the forest tremble before the wind. Yahweh then said to Isaiah: "Go with your son A-remnant-will-return, and meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman's Field. Say to him, Stay calm and fear not; do not lose courage before these two stumps of smoldering firebrands - the fierce anger of Rezin the Aramean and the blazing fury of the son of Remaliah. You know that Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted against Judah, saying: Let us invade and scare it, let us seize it and put the son of Tabeel king over it. But the Lord Yahweh says: It shall not be so, it shall not come to pass. For Damascus is only the head of Aram and Rezin the lord of Damascus. Within fifty-six years, Ephraim will be shattered and will no longer be a people. Samaria is only the head of Ephraim and Remaliah's son is only the lord of Samaria. But if you do not stand firm in faith, you, too, will not stand at all."   

Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which he had performed most of his miracles, because the people there did not change their ways, "Alas for you Chorazin and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more bearable on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had taken place in Sodom, it would still be there today! But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Reflection:
     St. Bonaventure was a Franciscan priest who became the Minister-General of his order.  He was a great philosopher and theologian filled with prudence and wisdom. He was appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Albano and participated in the Council of Lyons in 1274. He said in one of his writings, "A man should turn his full attention and gaze on Jesus hanging on the cross, full of faith, hope and charity. To truly experience God, one must surrender oneself to him, and he cannot do this unless the Holy Spirit should come and inflame his innermost soul." 
     What inflames your life? What do you intensely desire and hope for in life? Are these spiritual things or worldly desires?  Most probably we want a successful career, a happy family, a house, a car, etc. God will grant you all these but you must seek first the kingdom of God. How do you do this?  "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything will be given unto you" so the song goes. By seeking to understand His ways, His thoughts and His plans for you, you will know how to live your life and God will fill it with many blessings. Put God first in your life and He will grant success to your endeavors.  He will fill your life with many delights and consolations. Only the things of the Spirit can satisfy your longings and desires for happiness. A man centered on God loves others and seeks their happiness before his. Blessed is this man because he has found the pearl of infinite value.

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
... for thanksgiving and birthday intentions - Beny Chua
... for special intentions of Gigi de la Cruz

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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