Thursday, May 12, 2016
Our Lady of Fatima
13 May 2016
Friday, 7th Week of Easter
Our Lady of Fatima
White.
Acts 25: 13b – 21 / Jn 21:15 – 19
The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared several times to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. Lucia Santos (1908 – 2005), Bl. Jacinta Marto (1910 – 1920) and her brother Bl. Francisco Marto (1908 – 1919).
Gospel Reading: Jn 21:15 - 19
After they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." And Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
A second time Jesus said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" And Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Look after my sheep."
And a third time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was saddened because Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus then said, "Feed my sheep. Truly, I say to you, when you were young you put on your belt and walked where you liked. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will put a belt around you and lead you where you do not wish to go." Jesus said this to make known the kind of death by which Peter was to glorify God. And he added, "Follow me."
Reflection
In the Gospel, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Without hesitation we might answer like Peter, "Yes, we do!" We are very similar to St. Peter, ready to go far with Jesus but when our love for him is challenged by persecution or ridicule, our immediate reaction most probably is to betray him.
Peter realized in the end that goodwill and good intentions are not enough in following Jesus. Our flesh is weak, it cannot endure much suffering, the natural impulse is to defend and protect oneself. It is easier to follow Christ when it is convenient and when there is no risk involved.
But life is not devoid of crosses. Are we able to love Jesus in times of sickness and deprivation? When our peers influence us to be promiscuous, whom do we choose – Christ or them? If we realize the truth of our incapacity to love Christ because of our human weakness, then Christ offers us his strength.
St. Paul says that "God's grace is enough for you, for His power will be manifested in your weakness. Therefore I willingly boast of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12: 9) Peter, who denied Jesus three times, eventually died a martyr's death, giving up his life for love of Christ. We too can become strong in our faith by relying on the strength of Jesus Christ.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Cynthia C. Inocencio
May Ann S. Berces
Rod Villahermosa
IN MEMORIAM (+)
Ma. Soledad E. Fresnoza
Mr. Mariano K. Tan
Sun Huay Song (Sep 30, 1919 – May 13, 1981)
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.
+================================================+
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
Archive: http://biblereflection.blogspot.com/
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
© 2016 Daily-Homily
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DAILY-HOMILY" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to daily_homily+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
