DAILY- HOMILY

November 28, 2014

Friday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

Rv 20: 1-4, 11 - 21: 2/ Ps 84: 3, 4, 5-6a and 8a/ Lk 21: 29-33 

Reading: Rv 20: 1-4, 11 - 21: 2

Then an angel came down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the Abyss and a huge chain. He seized the monster, the ancient serpent, namely Satan or the devil, and chained him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss and closed its gate with the key, then secured it with locks, that he might not deceive the nations in the future until the thousand years have passed. Then he will be released for a little while. There were thrones and seated on them were those with the power to judge. I then saw the spirits of those who had been beheaded for having held the teachings of Jesus and on account of the word of God. I saw all those who had refused to worship the beast or its image, or receive its mark on the forehead or on the hand. They returned to life and reigned with the Messiah for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. 1After that I saw a great and splendid throne and the one seated upon it. At once heaven and earth disappeared, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before the throne while books were opened. Another book, the Book of Life, was also opened. Then the dead were judged according to the records of these books, that is, each one according to his works. The sea gave up the dead it had kept, as did death and the netherworld, so that all might be judged according to their works. Then death and the netherworld were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. All who were not recorded in the Book of Life were thrown into the lake of fire. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away and no longer was there any sea. I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city coming down from God, out of heaven, adorned as a bride prepared for her husband.

Gospel: Luke 21:29-33

He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Reflection:

     Jesus asks us to contemplate the phenomena of nature to learn how to read and interpret the things which are happening in the world. To make this discernment is not easy. By reflecting together as Christians, the light appears. And the light is this: to experience in everything that happens the call not to remain in the past, nor in the present, but rather to keep the horizon open and to perceive in everything that happens an arrow directed toward the future - the eschatological reality of the second coming of Christ the King, and the end of the world and judgment day. 

     Today, many people live worried concerning the end of the world. In the New Testament the return of Jesus is always a reason for joy and peace! This must be our Christian attitude. For us, Jesus has come, and is already among us especially present in the Holy Eucharist. He is also at our side in our struggle for justice, for peace and fullness of life. But this has not as yet been attained. For this reason, we await with hope and perseverance for the total liberation of humanity and of nature until He comes and transforms everything into a new heaven and a new earth.

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 wedding anniversary intentions of James and Norma Sy

... for the priestly anniversary of Fr. Arsenio Jesena S.J.

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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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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November 27, 2014

Thursday 34th Week in Ordinary Time

{The Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23; 19: 1-3, 9a / Ps 100: 1b-2, 3, 4, 5 / Lk 21: 20-28

Reading: Rv 18: 1-2, 21-23; 19: 1-3, 9a

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. So great was his authority that the whole earth was lit up with his glory. In a strong voice he cried out: "Fallen is Babylon the great! Fallen! She has become a haunt of demons, a lodge for every unclean spirit, a nest for any filthy and disgusting bird. A powerful angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: "With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, never again to be seen. Never again will tunes of harpists, minstrels, trumpeters and flutists be heard in you. Never again will an artisan of any trade be found in you. Never again will the noise of the mill be heard. Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never again be heard in you. Because your traders were the world's great and you led the nations astray by your magic spell. After this I heard what sounded like the loud singing of a great assembly in heaven: Alleluia! Salvation, glory and might belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the world with her adultery. He has avenged his servants' blood shed by her hand in harlotry. Once more they sang: Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever! Then the angel told me, "Write: Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb." 

Gospel: Luke 21:20-28

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city. For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled. Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."

Reflection:

     Disaster followed by Deliverance. This is the theme of the gospel reading. Instead of focusing on the disaster, let us set our attention towards deliverance. This has reference to those who believe because seeing God can now result in life.  "And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Lk 21:22;27) We could be excited and anxious, fearful and joyful as we are reminded of the coming of our Lord.  Remembering his words, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.' (John 14:27), we become reassured of the peace and calm when we are one with the Lord. As if getting ready for a big wedding feast, we make preparations to be sure everything goes well. We get anxious and worried that things might not go the way they should. We make a checklist and follow what needs to be done. We want to be at our best for the wedding. Just like in the wedding we would like to be our best for the Lord.  He has given us the checklist, his commandments. We then, look back and examine ourselves in our relationship with the Lord and others. And what could be a better way to be at our best.... to be one with the Lord and our brethren through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Indeed, "Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9a)

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.  

  +================================================+