DAILY- HOMILY

January 27, 2015 TUESDAY, 3rd Week in Ordinary Time

St. Angela Merici, Virgin

Green

Heb 10: 1–10 / Mk 3: 31–35

[From northern Italy, St. Angela Merici (1470–1540) worked for the formation of Christian women in society and founded in 1535 the Order of Ursulines, the first women's teaching order in the Church.]

Reading: Heb 10: 1–10

     The religion of the Law is only a shadow of the good things to come; it has the patterns but not the realities. So, year after year, the same sacrifices are offered without bringing the worshipers to what is the end. If they had been cleansed once and for all, they would no longer have felt guilt and would have stopped offering the same sacrifices. But no, year after year their sacrifices witness to their sins and never will the blood of bulls and goats take away these sins.

     This is why on entering the world, Christ says: You did not desire sacrifice and offering; you were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said: "Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do your will, O God."

     First he says: Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire nor were you pleased with them—although they were required by the Law.   Then he says: Here I am to do your will.

     This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified once and for all by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus.

Gospel: Mk 3:31-35

     Then his mother and his brothers came. As they stood outside, they sent someone to call him. The crowd sitting around Jesus told him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you." He replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

     And looking around at those who sat there he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to me."

Reflection

     "Blood is thicker than water," some people would say. In this gospel, the Lord does not talk about the relationships that we have with our family, friends, lovers, neighbors and co-workers, but instead He means to emphasize the relationships that are born through people congregating together to praise Him; those who become one and believe in Him. The Lord redefines the meaning of relationships – it is not just in the matter of flesh and blood, but anyone who "…does God's will…". Those people whom we see at Mass, and those who do good and follow the footsteps of the Lord, these are the people whom we should truly call our brothers and sisters.

     Filipinos and Chinese in general have a strong bond with their families. This is overtly practiced by having family reunions, celebrating holidays and birthdays together, sticking to one another no matter what, and covering each other's back for mistakes and troubles. There is no problem with this, but the Lord calls us to open up our minds, to welcome new relationships in our life with those who have the same Catholic beliefs, and most especially, to renew our relationship with him.

     Our Lord shares a true and perfect relationship with us. Where in the world can you find someone who is as compassionate, understanding, loving and forgiving as God is? He challenges us to be the best that we can be and helps us to see through the darkness. There is always hope. Let us not forget that our Lord is capable of transforming us to become like him, to be more loving and generous to our fellow brothers and sisters. He invites us to do this together as a community, as a real family. May we continue to seek his guidance in strengthening these special relationships all rooted in our praise and worship of a loving Father.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     RECHIEL C. GARCIA

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     CARIDAD B. YANG

.

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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following: 

  +================================================+

   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

  +================================================+