DAILY- HOMILY

June 15, 2015 MONDAY, 11th Week in Ordinary Time     

Green    

2 Cor 6: 1 – 10 / Mt 5: 38 - 42

Reading: 2 Cor 6:1-10

     Being God's helpers we beg you: let it not be in vain that you received this grace of God. Scripture says: At the favorable time I listened to you, on the day of salvation I helped you. This is the favorable time, this is the day of salvation.

     We are concerned not to give anyone an occasion to stumble or criticize our mission. Instead we prove we are true ministers of God in every way by our endurance in so many trials, in hardships, afflictions, floggings, imprisonment, riots, fatigue, sleepless nights and days of hunger.

  People can notice in our upright life, knowledge, patience and kindness, action of the Holy Spirit, sincere love, words of truth and power of God. So we fight with the weapons of justice, to attack as well as to defend.

     Sometimes we are honored, at other times insulted; we receive criticism as well as praise. We are regarded as liars although we speak the truth; as unknown though we are well known; as dead and yet we live. Punishments come upon us but we have not, as yet, been put to death. We appear to be afflicted, yet always joyful; we seem to be poor, but we enrich many; we have nothing, but we possess everything!

Gospel: Mt 5:38 – 42

     You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer the other. If someone sues you in court for your shirt, give your coat as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.

Reflection:

     In receiving and truly accepting the grace of salvation that comes freely to each and everyone of us thru Jesus Christ, the grace that lifts the heavy burden of sin and the reality of our mortal lives from our shoulders, can we then just turn away rather than find some way to serve God in our new lives as St. Paul and the other Apostles did?

     This is the question that St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, poses to us. St Paul asks, just as he asked the Corinthians then, that in our daily lives; in the work we do, how we deal with our co-workers, officemates, suppliers, constituents, helpers, classmates and yes, our spouse, brothers, sisters, mother and father; that we, as the Apostles did, seek to prove ourselves as true "ministers" of God. 

     Corinth was a bustling seaport in Greece of those times. As could be expected, after having been set up by St. Paul, the young church was beset by the many temptations and troubles of living in a corrupt and pagan society not unlike those of today's cosmopolitan port cities. Thus, St. Paul, in his letters to the early Christians of Corinth, urges them not to let their acceptance of God's grace become meaningless and bear no fruit.  

     The same message is addressed to us today; that if we fully appreciate and treasure the free gift of salvation that Christ paid for on our behalf with the sacrifice of his life; that if we really learn to cherish the freedom from sin and from the consequence of human failings that comes with God's grace; then we cannot help but embrace a new life in Christ and willingly commit ourselves to seeking and doing God's will; offering all that we do, all our work, all our joys and pains, our dreams and pursuits, willingly unto the Lord.

     For it is in persevering in this mission – in the way that we face our daily responsibilities, challenges and frustrations; and how we celebrate and share our triumphs, achievements and good fortune – that we have the opportunity to share Christ's grace with others; to shout out, through quiet example and sincere actions what it means to be a Christian, a Catholic, a true disciple of Christ.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

THANKSGIVING

     JERRY & SASA UY

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     WILFRED LIM & EDNA LIM

PRAYER INTENTION

     ADELINA CLAVECILLA

IN MEMORIAM (+) 

     CIPRIANO LU

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

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

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14 June 2015 - 11th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Cycle B, Green   

Ez 17:22 – 24 / 2 Cor 5: 6 – 10 / Mk 4: 26 – 34

First Reading: Ez 17:22 – 24 

     Thus says Yahweh: "At the top of the cedar I will take one of its uppermost branches, a tender twig and plant it. On a lofty, massive mountain, on a high mountain of Israel I will plant it. It will produce branches and bear fruit and become a magificent cedar. Birds of all kinds will nest in it and find shelter in its branches. And all the trees of the field shall know that I am Yahweh, I who bring down the lofty tree and make the lowly tree tall. I will make the tree that is full of sap wither and the dry tree bloom. I, Yahweh, have spoken and this will I do."

Second Reading: 2 Cor 5: 6 – 10                               

     So we feel confident always. We know that while living in the body, we are exiled from the Lord, living by faith, without seeing; but we dare to think that we would rather be away from the body to go and live with the Lord. So, whether we have to keep this house or lose it, we only wish to please the Lord. Anyway we all have to appear before the tribunal of Christ for each one to receive what he deserves for his good or evil deeds in the present life.

Gospel: Mk 4: 26 – 34 

     Jesus said, "In the kingdom of God it is like this. A man scatters seed upon the soil. Whether he is asleep or awake, be it day or night, the seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The soil produces of itself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when it is ripe for harvesting the sickle for the cutting: the time for harvest has come."

     Jesus also said, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what shall we compare it? It is like a mustard seed which, when sown, is the smallest of all the seeds scattered upon the soil. But once sown, it grows up and becomes the largest of the plants in the garden and even grows branches so big that the birds of the air can take shelter in its shade."

     Jesus used many such stories or parables, to proclaim the word to them in a way they would be able to understand. He would not teach them without parables; but privately to his disciples he explained everything. 

Reflection:

     Today's Gospel reading presents two images of God's kingdom. The first speaks of a seed growing on its own as the sower patiently waits; the second points out how a tiny mustard seed eventually grows into a large bush. Both images present and underscore the truth that there is more at work in the preaching of God's word than human effort. The reign of God is a gift from God and is very much under the control of God himself. And so God's presence and work may seem insignificant and imperceptible but are nevertheless very much needed and present.

     The seed of faith is planted in all the baptized, which include all of us.  We do not lose that baptismal gift and the Spirit though we falter and sin. We do not re-baptize those who sin and are forgiven. Whenever we do any good work or are witnesses to works of goodness and kindness around us, no matter how seemingly trivial or insignificant, we are reminded of God's presence. These good deeds contribute to propagating the mission of spreading the care and concern of God for our salvation. 

     Goodness which we readily attribute to God makes God real and palpable which in turn deepens our faith that God keeps his promises. We never feel abandoned and forsaken. We are consoled that God remains in full control even in our moments of hopelessness and despair, when we see suffering and evil seeming to triumph over good. 

     Those who are honest and neither accept bribes nor resort to corrupt practices are at times considered fools for not taking advantage of clear opportunities. How much of so-called natural calamities such as flashfloods and landslides are due to careless and irresponsible denudation of forests? Are the guilty ever punished? How many of those responsible for abuses against nature and the environment get away and are not punished? For the evil they do, so many poor and powerless have suffered much. Nonetheless our faith teaches us to remain hopeful and not discouraged because we believe that God will never forsake us.

     We then pray for greater patience and sensitivity in the presence of God though we may not have any clear manifestation of this presence. There may be much more that we do not clearly see. We pray that our faith may be strengthened that goodness will eventually triumph and that the seeds of goodness we sow will somehow bear fruit as promised by our faithful God.   

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     LUIS & JOSIE ONG

     YIU-WAH & SUSIE TSOI

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     ANOTONIO S.J. CABRERA

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.  

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