DAILY- HOMILY

09 September 2016 

Friday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

St. Peter Claver, Priest 

Memorial,   White.         

1 Cor 9: 16 – 19, 22b – 27 / Lk 6: 39 – 42

Born near Barcelona, St. Peter Claver (1560 – 1654) was a Jesuit missionary priest who spent his life in service to African slaves in Cartagena. He was encoraged to go to the missions by Jesuit lay brother St. Alphonsus Rodriguez ((1533 – 1617).

Gospel Reading: Lk 6: 39 – 42

And Jesus offered this example, "Can a blind person lead another blind person? Surely both will fall into a ditch.  A disciple is not above the master; but when fully trained, he will be like the master. So why do you pay attention to the speck in your brother's eye while you have a log in your eye and are not conscious of it? How can you say to your neighbor: 'Friend, let me take this speck out of your eye,' when you can't remove the log in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the log from your own eye and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your neighbor's eye."

Reflection

The first reading is very beautiful as it shows us the purpose of the preaching of St. Paul.  Paul went ahead and did his work as a duty to serve God in order to save not only himself but others as well.  We are called to follow his example of true service of God, service done willingly and for free.  In the world we live in, almost everything has a price and nothing is for free.  When we do something for another person, we usually expect to receive something in return.  Especially in our country where many people believe in "utang na loob" which means "I do this for you now, someday you will return the favor."  St. Paul shows us that not everything should be done for a price.  Like the service of Christ, our service to others should be free and unconditional.  We are called to serve one another without reserve and without expecting anything in return, thus following the example of Christ.

The Gospel reading is very familiar to us.  It is about "noticing the speck in your brother's eye while you have a log in your eye and your are not conscious of it."   

We love to correct others immediately when we notice something wrong in what they have done.  We don't just excuse the mistakes of others.  This is because we don't see ourselves as also being flawed, with our share of shortcomings and sins.  We are called to step down from our pedestals and be compassionate to others.  In order to see ourselves for what we really are, with a lot of faults and weaknesses, we must humble ourselves and reflect deeply on our true selves. Then we must first improve ourselves before we try to improve others.  Only then will we be able to judge others correctly and not to be too quick to destroy them with our criticisms.        

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Gianfranco V. Amurao

     Rochelle C. Arcenio

     Princess Nicole A. Barba

     Joyce Tiu

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the eternal repose of the souls of Bernardo Santiago Jr. and Mrs. Aguiling.

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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