DAILY- HOMILY

February 16, 2015 MONDAY, 6th Week in Ordinary Time

Green

Gn 4: 1-15, 25 / Mk 8: 11-13

Reading: Gn 4: 1-15, 25

     Adam had intercourse with Eve his wife; she became pregnant and gave birth to a child. She named him Cain, for she said, "I have got a man with help from Yahweh." She later gave birth to Abel, his brother. Abel was a shepherd and kept flocks, and Cain tilled the soil.

     It happened after a time that Cain brought fruits of the soil as an offering to Yahweh. Abel for his part brought the firstborn of his flock, and some fat as well. Now Yahweh was well pleased with Abel and his offering, but towards Cain and his offering he showed no pleasure. This made Cain very angry and downcast. 

     Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry and downcast? If you do right, why do you not look up? But if you are not doing what is right, sin is lurking at the door. It is striving to get you, but you must control it."

     Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go to the fields." Once there, Cain turned on his brother Abel and killed him. Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is your brother, Abel?" He answered, "I don't know; am I my brother's keeper?" 

     Yahweh asked, "What have you done? Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now be cursed and driven from the ground that has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood that your hand has shed. When you till the soil, it will no longer yield you its produce. You will be a fugitive wandering on the earth."

     Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. See! Today you drive me from this land. I must hide from you and be a wanderer and a fugitive on the earth, and it will so happen that whoever meets me will kill me." Yahweh said to him, "Well then, whoever kills Cain, will suffer vengeance seven times." And Yahweh put a mark on Cain to prevent anyone who met him from killing him.

     Adam again had intercourse with his wife and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth; for she said, "Yahweh has given me another child in place of Abel since Cain killed him."

Gospel: MK 8: 11-13

     The Pharisees came and started to argue with Jesus. Hoping to embarrass him, they asked for some heavenly sign. Then his spirit was moved. He gave a deep sigh and said, "Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to his people." Then he left them, got into the boat again and went to the other side of the lake.

     When we are not familiar with something, we usually try to find some proof or evidence to help prove that the thing is real or really works. This requires an objective frame of mind. But sometimes, because of our preconceived notions or narrow biases, we fail to see the truth that is presented to us right under our nose.

     The Pharisees wanted to embarass Jesus by asking again for some heavenly sign from Him to prove that He is really from God. Jesus had just performed the miracle of multiplication of loaves and fish for thousands of his followers (Mk 8: 1-10) and yet the Pharisees chose not to see or recognize this wondrous sign from God. Because of their attitude that they are a select or elite group, different from the rest, the Pharisees had their own set of rules and beliefs that they clung to and basically rejected any truth that did not conform to these beliefs. Jesus became frustrated with them, gave a deep sigh and left for the other side of the lake.

     It is better for us to have an attitude of humility and gratefulness because no one really knows everything or every truth, except God. All that we have and everything around us are gifts from God.

     Lord, help me to have a humble and grateful heart so that I may see and recognize the gifts, wonders and truths in my life that you lay before me every day.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     CARLOS SIY

     HAROLD O. MARISTELA

     JOHN THOMAS KYAW THUWIN

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     JOEY & CITA ROXAS

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     SIOK TUAN ANG LIM (NOV 6, 1927 - FEB 16, 2005)

     VICTOR T. NAÑAGAS

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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