DAILY- HOMILY

August 11, 2014
Monday 19th Week in Ordinary Time
[Memorial, St. Clare]

Ez 1: 2-5, 24-28c / Ps 148: 1-2, 11-12, 13, 14 / Mt 17: 22-27

Reading: Ez 1: 2-5, 24-28c
On the fifth of the month (it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiakin) the word of Yahweh came to Ezekiel, son of Buzi, the priest, in the land of the Chaldeans by the banks of the Kebar. There the hand of Yahweh was upon me. I looked: a windstorm came from the north bringing a great cloud. A fiery light inside it lit up all around it, while at the center there was something like a glowing metal. In the center were what appeared to be four creatures with the same form; I heard the noise of their wings when they moved, similar to the roar of many waters, similar to the voice of the Most High, the noise of a multitude or of a camp. When they were not moving they lowered their wings. I heard a noise above the platform over their heads. Above it was a throne resembling a sapphire and high on this throne was a figure similar to that of a man. Then I saw a light as of glowing bronze as if fire enveloped him from his waist upwards. And from his waist downwards it was as if fire gave radiance around him. The surrounding light was like a rainbow in the clouds after a day of rain. This vision was the likeness of Yahweh's Glory. On seeing it I fell on my face and then I heard a voice speaking.   

Gospel: Matthew 17: 22-27
While Jesus was in Galilee with the Twelve, he said to them, "The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, and they will kill him. But he will rise on the third day." The Twelve were deeply grieved. When they returned to Capernaum, the Temple tax collectors came to Peter and asked him, "Does your master pay the temple tax?" He answered, "Certainly." Peter then entered the house, but immediately Jesus asked him, "What do you think, Simon? Who pay taxes or tributes to the kings of the earth: their sons or the other people?" Peter replied, "The others." And Jesus told him, "The sons, then, are tax-free. But so as not to offend these people, go to the sea, throw in a hook and open the mouth of the first fish you catch. You will find a coin in it, take it and let it pay for you and for me."

Reflection:
      "The Son of Man will be delivered into human hands and they will kill him. But he will rise on the third day."
     Jesus did not seem to be affected when he said this because he is always aware that he is fulfilling the will of his Father. When we are aware and convinced that we have a mission to accomplish, we are not affected by its consequences. Even if we know the consequences, we have the courage to withstand the pains and sacrifices because we know we are not alone. God is with us.
     The people of our time are sending us the message to embrace a life rooted more fully in the example of Jesus Christ. Their message is clear; "Don't tell me - show me." According to Matthew Kelly in The Authentic Life,  "Their plea comes from their longing deep within them and represents their great hunger for the real thing. They want to witness someone, anyone living an authentic life, someone whose words are supported by the authority of his/her actions. Someone striving humbly but heroically to live by what is good, true and noble in the midst of - in spite of - the modern climate of consumerism, power and greed."
Examples are our missionaries in places where their lives are threatened as they defend what is true, good and beautiful. Where do they get their courage, their fearlessness?  One missionary who lived among the indigenous people for 17 years and defended them against threats of land grabbing, illegal logging, rebels, people who were in power making use of the IP's powerlessness and illiteracy had this to say: "The only thing I am aware of is that I have accomplished my mission among the poor through the assistance of the One who sent me."
     All we need today are Christians who witness authentic lives characterized by kindness, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, acceptance freedom and love. Let us find our mission and do it with courage and perseverance.

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 the birthday intentions of John Michael C. Dy

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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