DAILY- HOMILY

August 14, 2015 FRIDAY, 19TH Week in Ordinary Time

ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, Priest and Martyr    

Memorial, Red  

Jos 24:1 – 13 / Mt 19: 3 – 12

[St. Maximilian Kolbe (1894 – 1941), a Polish Franciscan priest, offered his life in exchange for a family man on Auschwitz, Poland.]

Reading: Jos 24:1 – 13

     Joshua summoned all the tribes of Israel in Shechem, and assembled the elders, leaders, judges and secretaries. And together they presented themselves before God.

     Addressing the people, Joshua Said to them: "Yahweh, the God of Israel, commands me to say to you: Your ancestors lived beyond the Euphrates River – Terah the father of Abraham and Nabor – serving other gods. But I brought Abraham your father from beyond the Euphrates and led him through the whole land of Canaan. Then I gave him a son Isaac, that he might have numerous descendants.  And to Isaac I gave two sons: Esau and Jacob. . . . 

     "Then I sent Moses and Aaron to punish Egypt in the way that you know, that you might leave.  Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt and you came to the sea. The Egyptians pursued you with chariots and horses as far as the Red Sea.  Then you cried to Yahweh, and he put immense darkness between you and the Egyptians. He made the sea go back on them and they were drowned. You have witnessed all the things he did in Egypt, and then you lived in the desert for a long time, And I brought you to the land of the Amorites who were on the east of the Jordan. You fought them but it was I who gave them into your hand; you destroyed them and seized their lands. . . .

     "I gave you lands which you have not tilled, cities which you did not build but in which you now live.  I gave you vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant but from which you now eat."

Gospel: Mt 19:3 – 12

     Some Pharisees approached him. They wanted to test him and asked, "Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?"

     Jesus replied, "Have you not read that in the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and he said: Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body? So they are no longer two but one body; let no one separate what God has joined."

     They asked him, "Then, why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?" Jesus replied, "Moses knew your stubborn heart, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so in the beginning. Therefore I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for concubinage, and marries another, commits adultery."

     The disciples said, "If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry." Jesus said to them, "Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift. There are eunuchs born so from their mother's womb. Some have been made that way by others. But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it."

Reflection: 

     In the first reading from the Book of Joshua, Joshua reminds the assembled people of Israel of how their God had watched over, protected and cared for them for many generations. 

     And the people of Israel renewed their covenant with God: "'You yourselves are witnesses that you have chosen Yahweh to serve him.' They answered: 'We are witnesses.' 'We will serve Yahweh, our God, and obey his commands.'"

     Like Israel each one of us can recall the many great things God has given to us.

     In his Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola suggests we call to mind "the blessings of creation and redemption, and the special favors I have received. I will ponder with great affection how much God our Lord has done for me, and how much He has given me of what He possesses. . .  Then I will reflect upon myself, and consider, according to all reason and justice, what I ought to offer the Divine Majesty, that is, all I posses and myself with it."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     LIAM GABRIEL DOMINIC UY

     OMIE C. INOCENCIO

     RENE DELA CALZADA

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     AUGUSTO & GLORIA DACANAY

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     THOMAS NGO TIONG TAY (1930 – 1988)

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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