DAILY- HOMILY

March 24, 2015 TUESDAY, 5th Week of Lent

Violet 

Nm 21:4- 9 / Jn 8: 21-30

Reading: Nm 21: 4-9

     From Mount Hor they set out by the Red Sea road to go around the land of Edom. The people were discouraged by the journey and began to complain against God and Moses, "Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is neither bread nor water here and we are disgusted with this tasteless manna."

     Yahweh then sent fiery serpents against them. They bit the people and many of the Israelites died. Then the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, speaking against Yahweh and against you. Plead with Yahweh to take the serpents away."

     Moses pleaded for the people and Yahweh said to him, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard; whoever has been bitten and then looks at it shall live."

     So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a standard. Whenever a man was bitten, he looked towards the bronze serpent and he lived.

Gospel: Jn 8: 21-30

     Again Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and though you look for me, you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come." The Jews wondered, "Why does he say that we can't come where he is going? Will he kill himself?"

     But Jesus said, "You are from below and I am from above; you are of this world and I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you shall die in your sins unless you believe that I am He."

     They asked him, "Who are you?"; and Jesus said, "Just what I have told you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the One who sent me is truthful and everything I learned from him, I proclaim to the world."

     They didn't understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself, but I say just what the Father taught me. He who sent me is with me and has not left me alone; because I always do what pleases him."

     As Jesus spoke like this, many believed in him. 

Reflection:

     "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone," goes the popular song, "Big Yellow Taxi." It is both a lament and a warning - and ultimately, a call to exercise gratitude on a more regular basis.

     The first reading is an epilogue of sorts to one of the most celebrated miracles of the Old Testament, the parting of the Red Sea. It was an exciting time. With unquestionable might, the Lord delivered His people from decades of slavery and cruelty. From the plagues that paved the way for the Israelites, to their ultimate grand exit, God displayed His power extravagantly.

     And then what? For years, the liberated Israelites wandered in the desert, until they forgot the mighty work that bought their freedom in the first place. It was anti-climactic, to say the least, and they grew restless and complained.

     Are we the same in daily life? Do we get sucked into the dreariness of our routines, the fear that we are going around in circles aimlessly? Then perhaps we have forgotten to see and appreciate what we've been given, what we had all along.

     Gratitude is the memory of the heart. Let's not wait until the blessings are taken away before we start saying thank you.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     JENNY LAXAMANA

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     PATRICK & BILLIE SYLING

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     CONSUELO CUNANAN (MARCH 24, 1914 – JAN 8, 1981)

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For Tan Chin Eng, that he regains strength in his limbs and will have the will to live, after his stroke.

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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