DAILY- HOMILY

November 17, 2014

Monday 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

[Memorial, St. Elizabeth of Hungary]

Rv 1: 1-4; 2: 1-5 / Ps 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6 / Lk 18: 35-43 

Reading: Rv 1: 1-4; 2: 1-5

The Revelation of Jesus Christ. God gave it to him to let his servants know what is soon to take place. He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John, who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God and the declaration of Jesus Christ. Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words, and happy those who hear them and treasure everything written here, for the time is near. From John to the seven Churches of Asia: receive grace and peace from him who is, who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits of God which are before his throne, Write this to the angel of the Church in Ephesus, "Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your works, your difficulties and your patient suffering. I know you cannot tolerate evildoers but have tested those who call themselves apostles and have proved them to be liars. You have persevered and have suffered for my name without losing heart. Nevertheless, I have this complaint against you: you have lost your first love. Remember from where you have fallen and repent, and do what you used to do before. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place; this I will do, unless you repent.

Gospel: Luke 18: 35-43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The people in front scolded him, "Be quiet!" but he cried out all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the man said, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus said, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you." At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

Reflection:

     Here is a man who is blind, but nevertheless must have heard about Jesus and the wonderful things he has done for people in town.  He must have been wishing to come near him, and he must have been praying for a cure.  He is also described as sitting by the road, begging - he must have been abandoned by his family.  He hears the crowd passing by and inquired what it is all about. "Jesus of Nazareth is going by" they say. He knows the Lord because spontaneously he cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

     We too have our own blindness. We are blind many times to our faults and sins, to our weaknesses and limitations. Blind because we cannot accept them, we keep denying or covering them up many times. Let us imitate this blind man in our gospel today. The Lord is passing by. Let's cry out loud to him and say,  "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." In the depths of our hearts let us hear the Lord say " Your faith has saved you, I love you and I forgive you!"

     Yes, the Lord is passing by, but we have to do our part. Often we are beggars, yet we do not consider what we are asking for. We have received many blessings yet these we take for granted as if the Lord ought to give us these, as if we deserve them.  

     Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

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 special intentions of Jennette Pe

... for the birthday intentions of Connie Dy, Dra. Vikki Tan

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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