DAILY- HOMILY

September 7, 2015 MONDAY, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time                     

Green  

Col 1:24-2:3 / Lk 6:6–11

Reading: Col 1:24 - 2: 3

     At present I rejoice when I suffer for you; I complete in my own flesh what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the Church. For I am serving the Church since God entrusted to me the ministry to make the word of God fully known. I mean that mysterious plan that for centuries and generations remained secret, and which God has now revealed to his holy ones.

     God willed to make known to them the riches and even the Glory that his mysterious plan reserved for the pagan nations: Christ is in you and you may hope God's Glory.

     This Christ we preach. We warn and teach everyone true wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect in Christ. For this cause I labor and struggle with the energy of Christ working powerfully in me.

     I want you to know how I strive for you, for those of Laodicea and for so many who have not met me personally. I pray that all may be encouraged. May you be established in love, that you may obtain all the riches of a full understanding and know the mystery of God, Christ himself. For in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Gospel: Lk 6:6 – 11

     On another sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and began teaching. There was a man with a paralyzed right hand and the teachers of the Law and Pharisees watched him: Would Jesus heal the man on the sabbath? If he did, they could accuse him.

     But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man, "Get up and stand in the middle."  Then he spoke to them, "I want to ask you: what is allowed by the Law  on the sabbath, to do good or to do harm, to save life or  destroy it?" And Jesus looked around at them all.

     Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored, becoming as whole as the other. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another how they could deal with Jesus.

Reflection:

     Our Gospel reading today shows Jesus in controversy with the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law about the proper observance of God's Law. There is the law to respect the Sabbath, "For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day he rested; that is why Yahweh has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy." (Ex 20: 11)

     And the summary commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mk 12: 31)

     In the way the sabbath law had been maintained by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, all work was forbidden on the sabbath: healing on the sabbath was considered work. So in the Gospel reading they watched Jesus, "Would Jesus heal the man on the sabbath? If he did, they could accuse him."

Jesus prefaced his cure with the question, ""I want to ask you: what is allowed by the Law on the sabbath, to do good or to do harm, to save life or destroy it?" To do good to one in need as to the man with the paralyzed right arm is to show love of neighbor.

     King Solomon who succeeded his father David as king was asked by God in a dream to "ask something of me and I will give it to you." Solomon asked for "an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong."  (1 Kgs 3: 9).  

     God granted his request, "I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after you shall ever have. I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame, and no king shall be your equal during your lifetime. (1 Kgs 3: 12 -13)

     May God give us "an understanding heart" and the wisdom "to distinguish right from wrong." 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     BINGGOY PANGANIBAN

     EDELINDA TINED

     JAYSON P. ROBLES

     MICHAEL P. REYES

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     DESIREE & TEODORO ROSARIO III

     MANNY & MILETTE NARCISO

     KAH LOW & MARY WONG

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the thanksgiving & personal intentions of Beny Chua.

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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