DAILY- HOMILY

July 25, 2015 SATURDAY, 16th Week in Ordinary Time 

ST. JAMES, Apostle 

Feast, Red    

2 Cor 4:7 – 15 / Mt 20: 20 – 28

[St. James the Apostle, called "The Greater," was a son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist.   Beheaded in Jerusalem in 42 AD, he was the first apostle martyred. ] 

Reading: 2 Cor 4: 7 – 15

     However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours but as God's. Trials of every sort come to us, but we are not discouraged. We are left without answer, but do not despair; persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us. For we, the living, are given up continually to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may appear in our mortal existence. And as death is at work in us, life comes to you.

     We have received the same spirit of faith referred to in Scripture that says: I believed and so I spoke. We also believe and so we speak. We know that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and bring us, with you, into his presence. Finally, everything is for your good, so that grace will come more abundantly upon you and great will be the thanksgiving for the glory of God.

Gospel: Mt 20:20 - 28

     Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your left, when you are in your kingdom. 

     Jesus said to the brothers, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They answered,  "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it." 

     The other ten heard all this and were angry with the two brothers. Then Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations act as tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you; whoever wants to be more important in your group shall make himself your servant. And if you want to be first, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man who has come, not to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

Reflection:

     In today's Gospel reading Jesus teaches us about his mission "to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

     James and his brother John supported by their mother asked for places of honor with Jesus.  It was an opportune occasion for Jesus to teach them and his other disciples about the real meaning of service.

     "To serve and give his life to redeem many:" Jesus served and gave his life to save humankind; he gave his life to show his love for us. He did everything out of love.  

     By experiencing Jesus' love and his goodness, hopefully we learn to love like Jesus. When we love like Jesus, the expression of love will come freely. When you truly love someone, it may cause you to suffer; authentic love remains even if we suffer, just as how Jesus loved as he suffered.  

     There is a saying that goes: "You have not loved enough if you have not suffered." Perhaps, this was the message of Jesus to his disciples when he taught them about service and giving up life for others. 

     He was already telling his disciples of the experience of the paschal mystery. Serve, suffer for the one you love. Die to yourself and you will experience the glory of the resurrection to meet our Father in heaven. 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     FEMA D. SAGUM

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     RODNEY & KIM UY YU

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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