DAILY- HOMILY

12 December 2016

Monday, 3rd Week of Advent

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Philippines

Memorial.     White.      

Zec 2:14 – 17 / Lk 1:26 – 38

The image of Our Lady on the tilma of St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474 – 1548) is miraculously preserved in Mexico City at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and of the Philippines.

Gospel Reading: Lk 1: 26 - 38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."

Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.

Reflection:

"…. let it be done to me as you have said."  In Faith, "Mary follows even without understanding" unlike us who insist on understanding before we follow.  Faith is not 100% certainty but 100% commitment. These are the words of a good priest in one of our parish recollections. 

With simple faith, Juan Diego, a Mexican native of Guadalupe, a farmer, laborer and weaver, abided by Our Lady's request, "I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings."  He allowed himself to be used by the Lord to convey the message in his simple Faith. 

Following the Lord takes faith. We are asked to carry our crosses, give until it hurts, love and forgive unconditionally, have mercy and compassion and serve with full commitment sometimes even to the point of death. Often times we always want to understand the consequences of following the Lord. 

Jesus tells his disciples, "If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree, 'Be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea,' and it will obey you." (Lk 17: 6)  Indeed by simplicity and by using the small mustard seed as an example, as long as our faith is true to heart in the belief in the power of God, we can do His will.  Like Mary and Juan Diego, we do not need to fully understand, but by the power of the Holy Spirit we can follow the Lord and do His will.  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Hazel Del Brando Bonifacio

     Robert de Jesus

     Antero Libanan

     Maverick Leonardo T. Javier

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Al & Cita Conception

     Eustaquio & Michelle Acero

THANKSGIVING

     James, Pinky & Michelle Marantan

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Martin de Jesus

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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