DAILY- HOMILY

09 April 2016 

Saturday, 2nd Week of Easter  

White.          

Acts 6:1 – 7 / John 6: 16 – 21

1st Reading: Acts 6:1 - 7

In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the so-called Hellenists complained against the so-called Hebrews, because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  So the Twelve summoned the whole body of disciples together and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God to serve at tables.  So, friends, choose from among yourselves seven respected men full of the Spirit and wisdom, that we may appoint them to this task.  As for us, we shall give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.

The whole community agreed and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenus and Nicolaus of Antioch who was a proselyte. They presentd these men to the apostles who first prayed over them and then laid hands upon them. 

From the Gospel Reading: Jn 6:16 - 20 

When evening came, the disciples went down to the shore. After a while they got into a boat to make for Capernaum on the other side of the sea, for it was now dark and Jesus had not yet come to them.  But the sea was getting rough because a strong wind was blowing.

They had rowed about three or four miles, when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and he was drawing near to the boat. They were frightened,  but he said to them, "It is Me; don't be afraid." 

Reflection

In the early Church, the rich members of the congregation gave financial help to the poorer members, especially widows and orphans.  The money was usually given to the elders and presbyters.  But because the Church was growing in number, the apostles decided to choose deacons who would take care of distributing relief to these poorer members of the community. The Church is like this – full of charism and always helping its members in their spiritual growth as well as their temporal needs.

Our help to others should also be the same.  We are called to help the poor financially, starting with those around us -- our maids, drivers, employees, etc.-- by giving them a decent wage.  We should also encourage them to live upright lives.  Our Christian love must be shown in action, not only with words and prayers.  Our ultimate aim is to lead them to God by our charitable and good actions.  Seeing us, they will feel that Jesus is just at their side. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus walks on the waters of the lake and appears to the disciples who were in a boat buffeted by strong winds and waves.  This was in order to let them know that he was there with them in their time of trial.  Let us be there for others when they need a kind word or a helping hand.      

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Benjie Zialcita

     Fr. J. Cesar R. Marin, SJ

     Matthew Harris L. Ngo

     Yolanda B. Capistrano

     Harvey S. Keh

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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These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following: 

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

  +================================================+

08 April 2016

Friday, 2nd Week of Easter       

White.       

Acts 5:34 – 42 / Jn 6:1 – 15

From the Gospel Reading: Jn 6:1 -15

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias, and large crowds followed him because of the miraculous signs they saw when he healed the sick. So he went up into the hills and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.

Then lifting up his eyes, Jesus saw the crowds that were coming to him and said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread so that these people may eat?" He said this to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred silver coins would not buy enough bread for each of them to have a piece."

Then one of Jesus' disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?"

Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." There was plenty of grass there so the people, about five thousand men, sat down to rest. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed them to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish and gave them as much as they wanted.  And when they had eaten enough, he told his disciples, "Gather up the pieces left over, that nothing may be lost."  So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with bread, that is with pieces of the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

When the people saw this sign that Jesus had just given, they said, "This is really the Prophet, he who is to come into the world." Jesus realized that they would come and take him by force to make him king; so he fled to the hills by himself.

Reflection

The crowds recognized Jesus as THE Prophet they were awaiting because of the sign he gave which was the multiplication of the loaves, similar to what the prophet Elijah had performed in the Old Testament.  And the Prophet that was to come would have performed the same miracles as previous prophets.  

The crowd he had fed wished to make Jesus king.  Knowing that their idea of a king was political, Jesus escapes: his kingship was that of the Suffering Servant Isaiah spoke about.  Jesus was despised, persecuted and killed in a shameful death in order that he might save us.  

We are like the Jewish people who want a leader to feed us and solve our problems.  Instead, Christ led through suffering and death and was vindicated when raised from the dead.  If we have Jesus as our leader, we must follow him and carry our crosses in order to share in his resurrection.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Relman John Rae M. Herrera

     Mlucia Noora

     Irzan D. Jureidini

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Jocelyn & Dr. Davis Chu

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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following: 

  +================================================+

   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

  +================================================+