DAILY- HOMILY

March 30, 2015 - MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

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Is 42:1 – 7 / Jn 12:1 – 11

Reading: Is 42:1 – 7

     Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.

     He does not shout or raise his voice proclamations are not heard in the streets. A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out the light of the wavering wick. He will make justice appear in truth.

     He will not waver or be broken until he has established justice on earth; the islands are waiting for his law.

     Thus says God, Yahweh, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread the earth and all that comes from it, who gives life and breath to those who walk on it:

     I, Yahweh, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you as a covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations,

to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.

Gospel: Jn 12:1 – 11

     Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life.  Now they gave a dinner for him, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at table with Jesus.

     Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume made from genuine nard and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

     Judas, son of Simon Iscariot – the disciple who was to betray Jesus – remarked, "This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins and turned over to the poor."  Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief and as he held the common purse, he tried to help himself to the funds.

     But Jesus spoke up,  "Leave her alone. Was she not keeping it for the day of my burial?" (The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me.)

     Many Jews heard that Jesus was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead.  So the chief priests thought about killinh Lazarus as well for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him and believing in Jesus. 

Reflection:

     When we love someone, we give our time and attention, and share the best things that we have with the person we love.  Some may even question the extravagance, time and effort that we accord our loved one.  

     The Gospel reading speaks of love, a love that knows no limit. Mary showed her love and gratitude to Jesus by using costly ointment to wipe Jesus' feet. Even if it seemed "wasteful," she gave the best that she had out of love and gratitude for God's mercy. Her utmost concern was to please the Lord.  On the other hand, Judas was counting the cost and thought of it as wasteful.  He also loved Jesus, but he was thinking more of his own benefit instead of giving more to God.  It is so easy to "hold back" when we are beset with so many worldly things and concerns. 

     Jesus showed the greatest love by sacrificing his own life for us to save us from our sins. How do we show our love in return? Have we done something extravagant for him?  Let us pray for the grace to love Jesus with all that we have, with our very selves: he gave everything for us until the very last drop of His blood.  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     FREDERICK GO

     QIT ABOLA

     SHIELA MAY A. DIESTRO

     VICTORIA FAICOL

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

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

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