DAILY- HOMILY

January 16, 2015 FRIDAY, 1st Week in Ordinary Time

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Heb 4: 1–5, 11 / Mk 2: 1-12

Reading: Heb 4: 1–5, 11

     Therefore let us fear while we are invited to enter the rest of God, lest any of you be left behind. We received the Gospel exactly as they did, but hearing the message did them no good, because they did not share the faith of those who did listen.  We are now to enter this rest because we believed, as it was said: I was angry and made a solemn vow: they will never enter my rest—that is the rest of God after he created the world.  In another part it was said about the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.  But now it is said: They will not enter my rest.

Gospel: Mk 2: 1-12

     After some days Jesus returned to Capernaum. As the news spread that he was at home, so many people gathered that there was no longer room even outside the door. While Jesus was preaching the Word to them, some people brought a paralyzed man to him.

     The four men who carried him couldn't get near Jesus because of the crowd, so they opened the roof above the room where Jesus was and, through the hole, lowered the man on his mat. When Jesus saw the faith of these people, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven."

     Now, some teachers of the Law who were sitting there wondered within themselves, "How can he speak like this insulting God? Who can forgive sins except God?"

     At once Jesus knew through his spirit what they were thinking and asked, "Why do you wonder? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say: 'Rise, take up your mat and walk? But now you shall know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins."

     And he said to the paralytic, "Stand up, take up your mat and go home." The man rose and, in the sight of all those people, he took up his mat and went out. All of them were astonished and praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Reflection:

     Don't you find it amazing that these four men had the imagination, energy and courage to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus by opening the roof above the room? They had to climb the roof to make an opening, then raised the paralyzed man very carefully, making sure he wouldn't fall and lower him to where Jesus was.

     The four men went to great lengths to help this paralyzed man. The gospel says that Jesus "saw the faith of these people." Faith allows us to persevere and endure difficult and even hazardous inconveniences out of love for God and neighbor.

     We know how dedicated mothers can be for their children. We know how we can risk our lives for our loved ones. And Christ gifted us with the ultimate sacrifice of his life out of love for us. And all this was to allow us to be forgiven of our sins so that we could return to the Father in heaven.

     Have you ever been loved like this? We are this paralyzed man. Though at times unable to love, to forgive and to do good, yet the Lord forgives us because Christ died for our sins and redeemed us, bailed us out! Indeed, the Lord loves us. He has carried us like these four men and brings us a renewed spirit of love. Let us be grateful and happy for we now can pick up our mat, cured and forgiven.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     LUCY M. EUGENIO

     RAMONA MARIE C.TAN

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     LANNY & CHARITO NAÑAGAS

     LIZA & MANNY SALGADO

     RAMON & CHIT MARIN

     RICHARD & BEA TAN

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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