DAILY- HOMILY

17 March 2016

Thursday, 5th Week of Lent /

St. Patrick, Bishop and Missionary  

Violet.            

Gn 17:3–9 / Jn 8:51 – 59

St. Patrick (389 – 461), the Apostle of Ireland, promoted a native clergy and the integration of Christian faith with native Irish-Celtic culture.  He was the first Bishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland; with Sts. Brigit and Columba, he is the primary Patron of Ireland.

From the Gospel Reading: Jn 8: 51– 53, 56- 57

Jesus told his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never experience death." The Jews replied, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died and the prophets as well, but you say: 'Whoever keeps my word will never experience death.'  Who do you claim to be?  Do you claim to be greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets also died." . . .

"As for Abraham, your ancestor, he looked forward to the day when I would come; and he rejoiced when he saw it."

The Jews then said to him, "you are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?"  And Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

Reflection

Week after week, the liturgical readings of the Lenten season bring us closer to the week called Holy Week. The Gospel reading for today highlights the contrast between the senses of mission that Jesus had for himself and the utter opposition of the religious leaders of his day. They simply could not grasp the real meaning of Jesus saying that whoever would keep his word would not die or that he could rightly claim God to be his Father,

For them all that Jesus was and said were blasphemous and therefore deserving of death by stoning. They may have thought that they were being faithful to their understanding of God's Law but their blindness to all that Jesus did and taught made them misunderstand his mission,

What a tragic misunderstanding that was!  Little did they realize that by pretending to be religiously faithful to God (according to their "traditions") they were actually creating an obstacle to the deepest and true meaning of their tradition.  That tradition should have led them to accept the promised Messiah. Thus, their misguided religious fanaticism was in reality a betrayal of their tradition. How dangerous religious fanaticism can be!  Where can we find relief?  Do have an answer?

Ultimately God's answer is in the Cross, the Cross that is a mystery, a stumbling block to some and a scandal to others.  It is on the Cross that Jesus asks the Father to forgive us when we do not know what we are doing.  It is the Cross on which death gives way to new life. It is the Cross of mercy, forgiveness and understanding.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Gloria Chan

     Patricia Y. Ong

     Tinggoy Reyes

     Patricia B. Tiangco

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Tama & Christina Ng

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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