DAILY- HOMILY

20 January 2016

Weekday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time /

Sts. Fabian, Pope, and Sebastian, Martyrs

Green.        1 Sm 17: 32 – 33,   37,   40 – 51.       Mk 3: 1 –  6 

St. Fabian, a layman elected Pope in 236, was martyred under Decius in 250.  St. Sebastian, an officer in Diocletian's imperial guard who converted to Christianity, was martyred in 288 by order of the Emperor.

From the 1st Reading:    1 Sm 17: 37, 45, and 47

David continued, "Yahweh, who delivered me from the paws of lions and bears, will deliver me from the hands of the Philistine." . . .

David answered the Philistine, "You have come against me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come against you with Yahweh, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied.  Yahweh will deliver you this day into my hands and I will strike you down and cut off your head. . . . All the people gathered here shall know that Yahweh saves not by sword or spear; the battle belongs to Yahweh, and he will deliver you into our hands."

Gospel Gospel:      Mk 3: 1 - 6

Again Jesus entered the synagogue. A man who had a paralyzed hand was there and some people watched Jesus: Would he heal the man on a sabbath? If he did they could accuse him.

Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, "Stand here in the center."  Then he asked them, "What does the Law allow us to do on the Sabbath? To do good or to do harm? To save life or to kill?" But they were silent.

Then Jesus looked around at them with anger and deep sadness because they had closed their minds. And he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was healed. But as soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod's supporters, looking for a way to destroy Jesus.

Reflection

How often do we put our own interpretation of what is right over God's commandments? It is easy to get lost in the legalism of the modern world, where there are seemingly infinite reasons that justify certain questionable actions. In today's Gospel, the scribes and Pharisees wanted to condemn Jesus based on their own interpretation of the law regarding the Sabbath. Yet, Jesus points out their mistake, saying that the Lord's Day is better celebrated by doing good and saving lives, rather than committing evil and destroying relationships by ignoring others in need. Let us reflect upon the motivations behind our actions, and the true meaning of serving our God and our neighbors.  True Christ-like service comes from the heart, and is not limited by the ones we choose to serve, and where and when we choose to be of service.   

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Oscar Pobre

     Paul Hernandez

     Jaime Lo Chan

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Hilton & Rosana Chua Fong

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Jose Limchutick (Jan 19, 1925 – Jan 20, 2014)

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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