DAILY- HOMILY

30 January 2016

Weekday,   3rd Week in Ordinary Time

Green. 2 Sm 12: 1 – 7a, 10 – 17.       Mk 4: 35 – 41.

1st Reading:    2 Sm 12:  1 – 7a

Nathan went to the king and said to him, "There were two men in a city: one was rich; the other, poor.  The rich man had many sheep and cattle, but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb he had bought.  He himself fed it and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and slept on his lap. It was like a daughter to him.

"Now a traveler came to the rich man, but he would not take from his own flock or herd to prepare food for the traveler. Instead, he took the poor man's lamb and prepared that for his visitor."

David was furious because of this man and told Nathan: "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves death.  He must return the lamb fourfold for acting like this and showing no campassion."

Nathan said to David, "You are  this man! It is Yahweh, God of Israel who speaks."

Gospel Reading:   Mk 4: 35 – 41

Jesus said, "Let's go across to the other side." So they left the crowd and took him away in the boat he had been sitting in, and other boats set out with him. Then a storm gathered and it began to blow a gale. The waves spilled over into the boat so that it was soon filled with water. And Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion.

They woke him up and said, "Master, don't you care if we sink?"  As Jesus awoke, he rebuked the wind and ordered the sea, "Quiet now! Be still!" The wind dropped and there was a great calm.  Then Jesus said to them, "Why are you so frightened? Do you still have no faith?"

But they were terrified and they said to one another, "Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him!"

Reflection 

After typhoon Yolanda, many people became traumatized with storms.  Our lives also have their share of "storms" or crises.  We, at one time or another, suffered financial debts, a loss of a loved one, a break up with a fiancé, a terrible fight with a family member.  These "storms" can drive us to despair, but they can also offer the opportunity to have faith.   

In the storm of our life today, where we are indeed lost, we can turn to the Lord who has the power to calm the storm, to quiet the wind.   This Gospel consoles us, invites us to believe that fear can be overcome with faith.   Faith is not merely a magic pill we take when we need it, but rather it is an experience, an encounter with the Lord built throughout the years, over time, over many storms. 

Our lives are dynamic, changing and transforming, and our faith accompanying it, needs also nourishment and spiritual food to help our faith grow.  Do we speak to the Lord regularly in prayer?   Do we partake of the sacraments for spiritual food in a constant fashion for our spiritual growth?  This prepares us for the "storms" of our lives.

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the eternal repose of the soul of Flor Ilagan.

For the speedy recovery and complete healing of Dodong Sanchez and Khrisella.

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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