DAILY- HOMILY

October 5, 2015 MONDAY, 27th Week in Ordinary Time              

Green

Jon 1:1 - 2:1, 11 / Lk 10:25-37

Reading: Jon 1:1 - 2:1, 11

     The word of Yahweh came to Jonah, son of Amittai, "Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach against it, because I have known its wickedness." But Jonah decided to flee from Yahweh and go to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, found a ship bound for Tarshish, and paid the fare. Then he boarded it and went into the hold of the ship, journeying with them to Tarshish, far away from Yahweh.

     Yahweh stirred up a storm wind on the sea, so there was a sea tempest, which threatened to destroy the ship. The sailors took fright, and each cried out to his own god. To lighten the ship, they threw its cargo into the sea.

     Meanwhile Jonah had gone into the hold of the ship, where he lay fast asleep. The captain came upon him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god. Perhaps he will be mindful of us and will not allow us to die here."

     The sailors said to each other, "Let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this disaster." So they did, and the lot fell on Jonah.

     They questioned him, "So you are responsible for this evil that has come upon us? Tell us where you are from. What is your country, your nationality?" And Jonah told them his story, "I am a Hebrew and I worship Yahweh, God of heaven who made the sea and the land…."

     As they knew that he was fleeing from Yahweh, the sailors were seized with great fear and said to him, "What a terrible thing have you done!" "What shall we do with you now to make the sea calm down?" The sea was growing more and more agitated.

     He said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. It will quiet down, for I know it is because of me that this storm has come."

     The sailors, however, still did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea had grown much rougher than before. Then they called on Yahweh, "O Yahweh, do not let us perish for taking this man's life. Do not hold us guilty of shedding innocent blood. For you, Yahweh, have done this as you have thought right." They took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm again. At this the men were seized with great fear of Yahweh. They offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and made vows to him.

     Yahweh provided a large fish which swallowed Jonah. He remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

     Then Yahweh gave his command to the fish, and it belched out Jonah onto dry land.

Gospel: Lk 10:25-37

     Jesus then said, "There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.

     It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite saw the man and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, too, was going that way, and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him and treated his wounds with oil and wine and wrapped them with bandages. Then he put him on his own mount and brought him to an inn where he took care of him. 

The next day he had to set off, but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper and told him: 'Take care of him and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I come back.'"

     Jesus then asked, "Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The teacher of the Law answered, "the one who had mercy on him." And Jesus said, "Go then and do the same."

Reflection:

     Today's Gospel reading invites us to look within us and see if we have followed, or are following, Jesus' invitation to "go and do the same" as the good Samaritan. At the present time, with all TV and newspaper reports of daytime holdup and highway robbery, perhaps we will hesitate and think twice before offering help to a "neighbor" writhing in pain on the sidewalk. Is he faking? Or does he really need help? Which reminds me of an incident many years back, when my daughter and I were on our way home. On the street where we lived, we saw an old man clutching his belly. I slowed down, and afraid that he may just be faking, drove on. But before we reached home, my daughter said, "Daddy, that man may have to be brought to the hospital." Bothered, we backed up and asked him what was wrong.  He said he had severe abdominal pain.  We asked him to get into our car, intending to take him to a hospital 3 blocks away, when he said – "I am ok na; please just give me some money for my transportation". Then he alighted in the next corner. We might have been fooled, but what if he was actually having a heart attack and his life could have been saved?

     Love of neighbor is self-denial and concern, compassion, empathy for the other. No matter what. Love of neighbor is sharing our blessings with those in need, until it hurts.  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ARJAY J. MENDOZA

THANKSGIVING

     RODOLFO SIAZON

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     MARIA CHUA MAY (JAN 11, 1924 – OCT 5, 1993)

     PAQUITO CAMPOS

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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