DAILY- HOMILY

November 16, 2015 MONDAY, 33RD Week in Ordinary Time

Sts. Roque Gonzalez, Juan Del Castillo 

and Alphonsus Rodriguez, Priests and Martyrs;

St. Margaret of Scotland, Widow; 

St. Gertrude, Religious          

Memorial, Red 

1 Mac 1:10 - 15, 41 - 43, 54 - 57, 62 - 63 / Lk 18: 35 - 43 

[Jesuit Sts. Roque Gonzalez (1576 – 1628), from Paraguay, Spanish missionary Juan del Castillo and Spanish Alphonsus Rodriguez (1598 – 1628) were martyred in the Jesuit reductions in Sourh America for their Christian faith.]

[Born in Hungary, St. Margaret of Scotland (1046 – 1093) married King Malcolm III of Scotland and was renowned for her concern for the poor and support of reform.]

[Born in Germany, St. Gertrude (1256 – 1301) joined the Cistercians and propagated devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.]

Reading: 1 Mac 1:10 - 15, 41 - 43, 54 - 57, 62 - 63

     From their descendants there came a godless offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus, who had been held as hostage in Rome. He became king in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the Greek era (175 B.C.).

     It was then that some rebels emerged from Israel, who succeeded in winning over many people. They said, "Let us renew contact with the peoples around us for we have had endured many misfortunes since we separated from them."

     This proposal was well-received and some eagerly went to the king. The king authorized them to adopt the customs of the pagan nations. With his permission, they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem in the pagan style. And as they wanted to be like the pagans in everything, they made artificial foreskins for themselves and abandoned the Holy Covenant, sinning as they pleased.

     Antiochus issued a decree to his whole kingdom. All the peoples of his empire had to renounce their particular customs and become one people. All the pagan nations obeyed and respected the king's decree, and even in Israel many accepted the imposed cult. They offered sacrifices to idols and no longer respected the Sabbath. 

     On the fifteenth day of the month of Chislev, in the year one hundred and forty-five, Antiochus erected the "abominable idol of the invaders" on the altar of the temple. Pagan altars were built throughout the whole land of Judea; incense was offered at the doors of their houses and in the squares. There wicked men tore up the books of the Law they found and burned them. They killed anyone they caught in possession of the book of the Covenant and who fulfilled the precepts of the Law, as the royal decree had ordered. 

     But in spite of all this, many Israelites still remained firm and determined not to eat unclean food. They preferred to die rather than to make themselves unclean with those foods (prohibited by the Law) that violated the Holy Covenant. And Israel suffered a very great trial.

Gospel: Lk 18: 35 - 43

     When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging.  As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what was happening, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The people in front scolded him, "Be quiet!" but he cried out all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

     Jesus stopped, and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the man said, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus said, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you." 

     At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

Reflection:  

In today's first reading, despite the abominable order of King Antiochus "to renounce their particular customs and become one people," in violation of the prescriptions of the Covenant, many Israelites remained faithful to their God, even to death.  

     In the Gospel reading the blind man from Jericho, though scolded by others, insisted on getting to Jesus: "What do you want from me?" To this, the blind man answered, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus answered his prayer, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you."   

     Both readings speak of faith in God. Despite danger, persecution and even death, many Israelites refused to give up their religion and required religious practices. They refused to abandon the God of Israel, to sacrifice to false gods and to eat unclean food. They trusted that their God would reward their faith and loyalty.

     From all he had heard about the miracle-worker Jesus, the blind man had faith in his mercy, that he would give him back his sight.

     How strong is our faith in God?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ATTY. MARINELLE O'SANTOS

     JOSE CARLOS P. MARIN

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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