DAILY- HOMILY

24 December 2016  

Saturday, 4th Week of Advent

Violet.        

2 Sm 7: 1 - 5, 8b - 12, 14a, 16 / Lk 1: 67 – 79

[Misa de Aguinaldo.    White.   With Gloria]

From the 1st Reading: 2 Sm 7: 14a, 16

I will be father to him and he shall be my son. . . . Your house and your reign shall last forever before me, and your throne shall be forever firm.

From the Gospel Reading: Lk1: 67 - 75

Zechariah, filled with holy spirit, sang this canticle, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has come and redeemed his people. He has raised up for us a victorious Savior in the house of David his servant, as he promised through his prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of our foes. He has shown mercy to our fathers and remembered his holy covenant, the oath he swore to Abraham our father, to deliver us from the enemy, that we might   serve him fearlessly as a holy and righteous people all the days of our lives. . . ."

Reflection

During this season, we must have the same thoughts and aspirations as King David who wanted to build a house for Yahweh.  Our love for Christ should impel us to aspire for a more fitting dwelling place for our Savior who came into our world without the pomp and pageantry that usually accompany an earthly king.  Although he could have summoned a host of angels to pay homage to him, he chose to be born on a manger, attended to by poor shepherds.  Although he is the King of kings, he came in unannounced and in very poor conditions.  Therefore more than any earthly dwelling we can offer to God, we can be the temple of his Spirit provided we make ourselves holy and a fitting abode for our God.

The Canticle of Zechariah is a hymn of praise for the salvation that was to come through the Messiah.  While Zechariah must have been thinking about God's promises to the nation of Israel to deliver her from her enemies, God's mission for the Messiah was a bit different.  The coming of Jesus was God's gift to save us from the bondage of sin and not from any temporal power.  Jesus brought with him a power of salvation to save us from the power of Satan.  He came into the world bearing with him the fullness of God's grace, mercy and love.  Surely there is every reason to exalt him as Zechariah did and make a promise to "serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life."  

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Tin Hong (Jan 7, 1907 – Dec 24, 1986)

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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