DAILY- HOMILY

January 20, 2015 TUESDAY, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Sts. Fabian, Pope, and Sebastian, Martyr

Green

Heb 6:10–20 / Mk 2: 23-28

[St. Fabian was Pope from 236 to 250. St. Sebastian, an officer of Diocletian's imperial guard who converted to Christianity, was martyred in 288 by order of the emperor.]

Reading: Heb 6:10–20

     God is not unjust and will not forget everything you have done for love of his name; you have helped and still help the believers. We desire each of you to have, until the end, the same zeal for reaching what you have hoped for. Do not grow careless but imitate those who, by their faith and determination, inherit the promise.

     Remember God's promise to Abraham. God wanted to confirm it with an oath and, as no one is higher than God, he swore by himself: I shall bless you and give you many descendants. By just patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.

     People are used to swearing by someone higher than themselves and their oath affirms everything that could be denied. So God committed himself with an oath in order to convince those who were to wait for his promise that he would never change his mind. Thus we have two certainties in which it is impossible that God be proved false: promise and oath. That is enough to encourage us strongly when we leave everything to hold to the hope set before us. This hope is like a steadfast anchor of the soul, secure and firm, thrust beyond the curtain of the Temple into the sanctuary itself, where Jesus has entered ahead of us—Jesus, High Priest for ever in the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

     One Sabbath Jesus was going through grainfields. As his disciples walked along with him, they began to pick the heads of grain and crush them in their hands. Then the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look! they are doing what is forbidden on the Sabbath!"

     And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did in his time of need, when he and his companions were very hungry? He went into the house of God when Abiathar was High Priest and ate the bread of offering, which only the priests are allowed to eat, and he also gave some to the men who were with him." Then Jesus said to them, "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. So the Son of Man is Master even of the sabbath."

Reflection:

     Laws are there to help people live well. People should not feel that they must follow these laws blindly. Our Lord tries to educate us in the spirit of the law and not the strict compliance of it; especially if it may bring harmful effects.

     In the gospel, Jesus said "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath…" With this He clarifies that the Sabbath "laws" do not have to dictate our lives. Instead, they are meant to guide us to become good.

     There is a popular saying that goes "don't judge a book by its cover". People can show a façade of being very religious. Unfortunately, they unknowingly condemn those who are not following "the program." When we do certain obligations such as going to mass, fasting, offering alms, are we judging those who don't? This may not be a real sign of love, because God loves everyone whether they are active or inactive followers. Did he not want us to really love one another as He has loved us?

     In most stories, there are several characters that portray different personalities. Who are you in this story? As one of the disciples, are you able to understand and love the people who will judge you? If you were a Pharisee, can you resist the urge and temptation to judge unabashedly, or would you have more of an open mind especially in our ever changing world today? Or are you someone in the crowd, just watching the entire scene play out? Will you be willing to help out the lost Pharisees to share what you know and to be patient with them? May God continue to guide us in being a more loving and more patient people who don't blindly follow traditions, but discern a more caring path.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     OSCAR POBRE

     PAUL HERNANDEZ

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     HILTON & ROSANA CHUA FONG

     KENETH & JESSICA PALACIOS

IN MEMORIAM (?)

      JOSE LIMCHUTICK (JAN 19, 1925 - JAN 20, 2014)

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the eternal repose of the soul of Santa Sy.  Eternal rest grant unto her & may perpetual light shine upon her.  May she rest in peace. 

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

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

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