DAILY- HOMILY

December 21, 2015 MONDAY, 4th Week of Advent                      

[Misa de Gallo - White, with Gloria]  

Violet     

Zep 3:14 – 18a / Lk 1:39 – 45

Reading: Zep 3:14–18a

     Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel! Sing joyfully with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem!

     Yahweh has lifted your sentence and has driven your enemies away. Yahweh, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune.

     On that day they will say to Jerusalem: Do not be afraid nor let your hands tremble, for Yahweh your God is within you, Yahweh, saving warrior. He will jump for joy on seeing you, for he has revived his love. For you he will cry out with joy, as you do in the days of the Feast.

     I will drive away the evil I warned you about.

Gospel: Lk 1:39 – 45

     Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"

Reflection:

     The Gospel reading today narrates a meeting in joy of two great women of faith. Both Mary and Elizabeth stand out as wonderful examples for us. They believed God's words and received his gifts. 

     Both expected very special children. Elizabeth, an elderly woman well beyond her childbearing years and who has never borne a child, has become pregnant. Mary, a virgin, is expecting a child. Elizabeth was to give birth to a great prophet, John the Baptist, and Mary was to give birth to the Son of the Most High by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit.

     Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth was an unusual homecoming of two holy women; it was also the first meeting of the children they were bearing! Wherever Jesus is, even still in the womb, he brings blessings and grace with him. 

     The child John leapt in Elizabeth's womb upon the sound of Mary's greeting and the coming of Jesus. Imagine Elizabeth's joy at the visit of such special guests: "How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy." 

     In the first reading from the prophet Zephaniah, Israel is assured of salvation in the joyous coming of the Lord, just as what happened at the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. 

     When we gather for our Christmas celebrations, let us be thankful and joyful at the graceful coming of the Lord two millennia ago. And let us pray that he may be with us always.

     "Cry out with joy, O daughter of Zion; rejoice, O people of Israel!  Sing joyfully with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. .  Yahweh, the King of Israel is with you; do not fear any misfortune."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     CONNIE UNSON

     CRESENCIA V. ROLEDA

     DR. MAURA CASTILLO

     NANCY ANG

     TESS CATINDIG

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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