DAILY- HOMILY

January 2, 2015  FRIDAY

Sts. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen,            

Bishops and Doctors of the Church              

Memorial, White                    

1 Jn 2:22-28 / Jn 1:19-28                    

GOSPEL READING: John 1:19-28

     This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, "Who are you?" John recognized the truth and did not deny it. He said, "I am not the Messiah."

     And they asked him, "Then, who are you? Elijah?" He answered, "I am not." They said, "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?" And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, "I am the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord."

     Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so they put a further question to John: "Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?" John answered, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal."

     This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Reflection

     There are many false prophets in the world. One tells us to go for success always– success in school, in work, in accumulating a lot of money, in having power, etc. In contrast, St. John the Baptist says, "Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight his paths." This, therefore, should be our main purpose in life. Another false prophet tells us always to put oneself, one's family, one's friends before strangers or the poor. However, St. John left his house and family to live in the desert as a hermit, not thinking of his own comfort. Jesus also left his mother to be an itinerant missionary proclaiming the kingdom of God to everyone. This he did in obedience to his Father in heaven. Still another false prophet tells us that the laws of the Church are antiquated, and that we can bend some of her rules and disregard some of her teachings which seem to encroach on our freedom. These falsehoods are being presented to us as truths. In the early Church, the Christians had to contend with such teachings.

     We know that the path to holiness is full of trials and hardships,  but this narrow path leads to true happiness, to eternal life. St. John led the apostles to Jesus. Now, he continues to lead us to Jesus through his teachings. If we have discovered Jesus in our lives, we must put everything else behind, or in second place. We should keep our eyes focused on him who leads us in our journey of faith.

We pray for:

MTQ DAILYPRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     HONORIO G. POBLADOR

     VERONICA NAÑAGAS DEVON

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     DENNIS & CORNELIA TAN ANG

     MANDY & MARIBEL GUERRERO

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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