DAILY- HOMILY

September 15, 2015 TUESDAY, 24TH Week in Ordinary Time     

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Memorial, White    

1 Tim 3:1 – 13 / Optional Sequence Stabat Mater / Jn 19: 25 - 27 

[Pope Pius VII extended this devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows to the whole Church in 1814.]

Reading: 1 Tim 3:1 – 13

     If someone aspires to the overseer's ministry, he is without a doubt looking for a noble task. It is necessary that the overseer (or bishop) be beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, responsible, judicious, of good manners, hospitable and skillful in teaching. He must not be addicted to wine or quarrelsome, but gentle and peaceful, and not a lover of money, but a man whose household is well-managed, with obedient and well-mannered children. If he cannot govern his own house, how can he lead the assembly of God?

     He must not be a recent convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must enjoy a good reputation among the outsiders, lest people speak evil about him and he fall into the snare of the devil.

     Deacons, likewise, must be serious and sincere and moderate in drinking wine, not greedy for money, they must keep the mystery of faith with a clear conscience. Let them be first tried and, if found blameless, be accepted as deacons. In the same way the women must be conscientious, not given to gossip, but reserved and trustworthy.

     A deacon must be husband of one wife, and must know how to guide his children and manage his household. Those who serve well as deacons will win honorable rank, with authority to speak of Christian faith.

Gospel: Jn 19:25 - 27

     Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister Mary, who was the wife of Cleophas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw the Mother, and the disciple whom he loved, he said to the Mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home.

Reflection:

     When we are asked to care of our friend's belongings, we do so with great care. What if we are asked to look after our friend's mother? Would we be able to undertake such a task?

     Dying on the cross our Lord leaves his Mother Mary to the care of the beloved disciple John, "There is your mother," and also tasks his Mother to accept John as her son, "Woman, this is your son."

     The Church has read Christ entrusting his Mother to John and the beloved Apostle John to his Mother as Christ's lasting will and testament to entrust his Mother to each of his followers and to entrust each of his followers to Mary's care.

     Thus Mary is the Mother of each one of us, of each one of the followers of Christ and each one of us is her son or daughter.

     John's Gospel said that "from that moment the disciple took her to his own home." From that moment John loved and took care of Mary as his mother. Tradition has it that John and Mary eventually moved to Ephesus where to this date there is a shrine of their home.

     The Blessed Virgin Mary is now body and soul in glory with her Son and all the elect and angels in heaven. She does not need us to take care of her as she needed John's love and care during her lifetime.  

     Mary in heaven is a most powerful and loving Mother of each one of us. With her help and guidance, may we learn to love her Son as she does.  

     Thank you, Lord, for giving your Mother to be our mother. May we learn to love her as you do. May we always turn to her to learn to love you as she does.  

     Thank you for our own mothers who reflect the love of your Mother Mary.  

"Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.  To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     MARDON SANTOS

     ROBINSON CHUA HWAN

     SR. MARY OLGA LAM, MIC

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the healing of Sylvette Tankiang.

For the special intention of Arianne Ferrer.

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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