DAILY- HOMILY

11 March 2016  

Friday, 4th Week of Lent 

Violet.        

Wis 2:1a, 12–22 / Jn 7:1- 2, 10, 25 – 30

From the 1st Reading: Wis 2:12 - 15

Let us set a trap for the righteous, for he annoys us and opposes our way of life;  he reproaches us for our breaches of the Law and accuses us of being false to our upbringing. He claims knowledge of God and calls himself son of the Lord.  He has become a reproach to our way of thinking; even to meet him is burdensome to us.  He does not live like others and behaves strangely.

From the Gospel Reading: Jn 7:25 - 30   

Some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Is this not the man they want to kill? And here he is speaking freely, and they don't say a word to him? Can it be that the rulers know that this is really the Christ? Yet we know where this man comes from; but when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from."

So Jesus announced in a loud voice in the Temple court where he was teaching, "You say that you know me and know where I come from! I have not come of myself; I was sent by the One who is true, and you don't know him. I know him for I come from him and he sent me."

They would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him because his time had not yet come.

Reflection

In both readings, there are people who question the virtuous. They voice out their doubts about the righteous, challenging their authenticity.  In Jesus' time, there were many who were slow to believe in Christ as the Messiah.  Confused about the signs Jesus manifested, they were waiting for the authorities to make the final verdict.  

The first reading is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who was persecuted, mocked and finally condemned to a shameful death.  Where do you find yourself today?  Are you the one doubting or are you the target of people's criticisms?

If we are called to be Christians, we will undoubtedly be persecuted by the world because Christ's way of thinking and acting are opposed to that of the world.  Often by the mere fact that a Christian acts virtuously, people who are far from the Church feel threatened because they know they are not capable of doing the same.  They feel uncomfortable when they see someone acting differently from them; more so when they are corrected by the other.  Not realizing that they are being offered the right path, they feel that someone is imposing his will on them.  

Day by day, we are faced with the challenge of being a witness to Christ even if this means being misunderstood or having enemies.  Often we need to choose between being faithful to Christ and being loved by the world.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Karen A. Pe Benito

     Atty. Marianne Reyna C. Lina-Cruz

     Gio C. Ventura

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Natividad L. Chuakay

     Saw Cen

     Normita Siaco (Jun 3, 1959 – Mar 11, 2012)

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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