Thursday, December 15, 2016
Friday, 3rd Week of Advent
16 December 2016
Friday, 3rd Week of Advent
Violet.
Is 56:1 – 3a, 6 – 8 / Jn 5:33 – 36.
[Misa de Aguinaldo: White, with Gloria]
From the 1st Reading: Is 56: 6 – 8
Yahweh says to the foreigners who join him, serving him and loving his name, keeping his sabbath unprofaned and remaining faithful to his covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. I will accept on my altar their burnt offerings and sacrifices,for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.
Thus says the Lord God, Yahweh, who gathers the exiles of Israel: There are others I will gather besides those already gathered.
Gospel Reading: Jn 5: 33 - 36
Jesus said, "John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.
"John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light. But I have greater evidence than that of John – the works which the Father entrusted to me to carry out. The very works I do bear witness: the Father has sent me."
Reflection
In the first reading, Yahweh welcomes pagan converts into the Jewish community as long as they promise and desire to follow the laws and ordinances of the Covenant. In any religion, it is very important to welcome new converts. In Christianity, we should be happy to do so too, welcoming even Christians who have left the Church but have decided to come back to the fold.
Sometimes, some people need to have an experience of the prodigal son – leaving the house of the Father, engaging in debauchery and then returning to the father's house – to realize the meaning and importance of being a Christian. We should always welcome these people back to the fold.
If fact, aren't we all prodigal children of God? Haven't we all gone astray and embraced pagan values at some point in our lives? Also, we should be very happy when the Church grows in numbers. And once a new convert enters the community, he/she will start to experience not only the wealth of the traditions of the Church but also beautiful liturgies through the sacraments, a joyful fellowship with other Christians, an intimacy with the Lord in prayer and while reading the Scriptures, etc.
Once the convert enters the Church, he will come face-to-face with Jesus himself who will teach him everything about the kingdom and initiate him into the mysteries of the faith. This is what the Gospel says.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
George U. Young Jr
Bea C. Ventura
Francisco H. Suarez Jr
Virginia Ho Gotamco & Jovi Ho Gotamco
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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# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 6:36 AM 
