DAILY- HOMILY

November 19, 2015 THURSDAY, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time    

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1 Mc 2:15-29 / Lk 19:41-44

Reading: 1 Mc 2:15-29

     In the meantime, the king's representatives, who were forcing the Jews to give up their religion came to Modein to organize a sacred gathering.

     While many Israelites went to them, Mattathias and his sons drew apart.

     The representatives of the king addressed Mattathias, and said to him: "You are one of the leaders of this city, an important and well-known man, and your many children and relatives follow you. Come now and be the first to fulfill the king's order, as the men of Judah have already done, and the survivors in Jerusalem as well. You and your sons will be named Friends of the King and the king will send you gold, silver and many other gifts."

     But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations included in the kingdom should abandon the religion of their ancestors and submit to the order of King Antiochus, I, my sons and my family will remain faithful to the Covenant of our ancestors. May God preserve us from abandoning the Law and its precepts. We will not obey the orders of the king nor turn aside from our religion either to the right or to the left."

     When he finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of everyone to offer incense on the altar that was built in Modein according to the king's decree. When Mattathias saw him, he was fired with zeal, his heart was stirred, and giving vent to his righteous anger, he threw himself on the Jew and cut the man's throat on the altar. At the same time, he killed the king's representative who was forcing the people to offer sacrifice, and then tore down the altar. In doing this he showed his zeal for the Law, as Phinehas had done with Zimri, son of Salu.

     Mattathias then began to proclaim loudly in the city: "Everyone who is zealous for the Law and supports the Covenant, come out and follow me!" Immediately he and his sons fled to the mountains and left behind all they had in the city.

     Many Jews who looked for justice and wanted to be faithful to the Law went into the desert; 

Gospel: Luke 19:41-44

     When Jesus had come in sight of the city, he wept over it  and said, "If only today you knew the ways of peace! But now your eyes are held from seeing. Yet days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with barricades and shut you in and press on you from every side. And they will dash you to the ground and your children with you, and leave not a stone within you, for you did not recognize the time and the visitation of your God."

Reflection:

     In the first reading, Mattathias, a devout Jew, reacts to the invitation of a Gentile official to offer sacrifice to pagan idols. He kills the Gentile and his followers in a fit of righteous anger. We are not called to kill unbelievers in our times. But we are called to resist temptations from men and enticements from the devil to be immoral, selfish, corrupt, lazy, violent, etc. To do this we must do violence against our sinful human desires.  

     The gospel today hopes to finds us able to recognize God when He visits us. Jesus wept for Jerusalem because he knew the city will not recognize him as the Messiah, will crucify him and eventually be brought to justice for her unbelief. All too often we hear the words "God will understand" and "it's between me and my God" to justify acts that would otherwise be objectionable. But today's readings are clear – there will be justice. We should not be afraid, however, because God's justice is His mercy. He recognizes what is in our hearts, and takes into account the desire we have to change. Indeed, despite our inability to love and do what is good, He will always give us another chance if we are humble and contrite of heart. Let us ask God to give us a repentant heart and the strength to reform our evil ways. It is not too late.      

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     EMELINDA & DR. TIMOTEO L. YU

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     ESPERANZA V. AUSTRIA

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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