DAILY- HOMILY

10 August 2016

Wednesday, 19th Week in Ordinary Time

St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr

Feast.        Red.        

2 Cor 9: 6 – 10 / Jn 12:  24 – 26

A Roman deacon, St. Lawrence (d 258) was martyred during the persecution of Velerian.  After Sts. Peter and Paul, he is venerated as Patron of Rome.

From the 1st Reading: 2 Cor 9: 6 - 7

Remember: the one who sows meagerly will reap meagerly, and there shall be generous harvests for the one who sows generously.  Each of you should give as you decided personally, and not reluctantly as if obliged.  God loves a cheerful giver. 

Gospel Reading: Jn 12: 24 -  26

Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

"Those who love their life destroy it, and those who despise their life in this world keep it for everlasting life.

"Whoever wants to serve me, let him follow me and wherever I am, there shall my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."

Reflection

When we hold on too tightly to our own concerns and worries, we cease to notice the needs of others. We get so caught up in what we have to do to survive. We distract ourselves with busy schedules, or we just don't want to see beyond routine and mediocrity. That's all perfectly normal. But, shouldn't we pray for the grace to do something much more than what we're presently doing?

Jesus shows us just what it will take. It'll probably mean giving up our own lives so that others may live. Are we ready to do that for our brothers and sisters? Can we let go of what's bothering us at the moment so that we can properly look after a brother or a sister who might be in dire straits? This dying to ourselves will happen again and again, but the positive effects will also be multiplied. That's how many seeds can be produced by the supreme sacrifice of just one. Jesus guides us on this self-giving way that has a definite multiplier effect.

This service is not meant to be a temporary occurence. We're invited to give completely of ourselves until our very last breath. This might seem like a very strict requirement: indeed we are proclaiming that we are not meant only for this world. 

Jesus realized that everything on this earth was temporary, both the joys and the pains: everything is fleeting. The real peace and happiness that we seek can only be found in the Father's love. We are called to die to our own insecurities, our personal conflicts, our selfish interests, and our self-centeredness. Only when we open ourselves to what God accepts in us can we be able to die to the temporary and give in to what is eternal and lasting. We are meant for something so much more. 

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This free service is produced by the laity, priests and friends of:
Mary the Queen Parish
Madison, West Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines
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