Wednesday, June 08, 2016

 

Thursday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

09 June 2016
Thursday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Jose de Anchieta, Priest 
St. Ephrem of Syria, Deacon and Doctor of the Church  
Memorial.     White.  

1 Kgs 18: 41 – 46 / Mt 5:  20 – 26

St. Jose de Anchieta (1534 – 1597), a Jesuit priest from the Canary Islands, spent his life in the missions of Brazil.  A key figure in the history of Brazil, he was one of the founders of Sao Paulo (1554) and of Rio de Janeiro (1565) and is the Father of Brazilian Literature. He was declared a saint by Pope Francis on 03 April 2014.

Born in Mesopotamia, St. Ephrem (306 – 373), vigorously fought against the heresies of his time. A poet, orator and holy monk, he had great devotion to our Lady.

From the Gospel Reading: Mt 5: 21 - 24 
Jesus said to his listeners, "You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But   now I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial.  Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever humiliates a brother or sister deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell.  So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God."

Reflection
The Gospel reading today tells us about the consequences of our actions in a given situation.  It teaches us to be always on guard with our emotions, especially with our anger.  We know that, when angry, we can do embarrassing and unimaginable things. We can inflict harm and could even cause death to others.  Studies have shown that too much anger in our hearts could make us bitter and could even cause us physical illness.

Our Gospel reading today exhorts us to be mindful of our words and actions, to be aware of our power to build or to destroy.  Our words and actions have power over others, especially those considered more vulnerable in our society such as house helpers and drivers, street beggars and vendors, and the poor. These could be rather sensitive to comments or side comments about their plight and status in life. Words of affirmation and appreciation could make a great difference to a yaya or helper, to a driver or gardener, who devote their day to making a family more comfortable. Gestures of acceptance could mean the world to a new student or employee in a new environment.

It is a challenge for us to live our Christian lives a notch higher and with greater generosity.  We are encouraged to be reconciled soonest to those with whom we have had difficulties or grudges. We have to approach the Lord with clean hearts.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
     Ted & Elisa Sta. Ana

IN MEMORIAM (+)
     Amada Deseo (Dec 2, 1908 – Jun 9, 1985)
     Miguel C. Uy (Aug 4, 1931 – Jun 9, 2003)

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.  
  +================================================+

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Wednesday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

08 June 2016

Wednesday, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

St. Jacques Berthieu, Priest and Martyr

Memorial.        Red.       

 

1 Kgs 18:20 – 39 / Mt 5:17 – 19

 

St. James Berthieu (1838 – 1896), French Jesuit missionary to Madagascar, was matyred for his Christian faith.

 

From the 1st Reading: 1 Kgs 18:36 – 39

Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant, doing all these things at your command.  Answer me, Yahweh, answer me so that this people may know that you, O Yahweh, are God and that you are turning back their hearts to you." Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering, together with the wood, the stones also, and the dust; the water also dried up in the trench. 

 

All the people witnessed this. Then they fell on their faces and said, Yahweh is God! Yahweh is God!"

 

Gospel Reading: Mt 5: 17 – 19

Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets.  I have not come to remove but to fulfill them.  I tell you this:  as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or stroke of the Law will change until all is fulfilled.

 

"So, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments and teaches others not to do the same will be the least in the kingdom of heaven.  On the other hand, whoever obeys them and teaches others to do the same will be great in the kingdom of heaven." 

 

Reflection:

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks about being the true fulfillment of the law. This can be further confirmed through concrete actions.  His actions are acts of goodness.  

 

Jesus gives us a warning in doing our good deeds.  He asks us today to examine ourselves honestly:  Why do we do them?  What is our motive?  Do we do them because of human respect or for love of God and neighbor?  Our inner disposition in doing good deeds is important.   If we do good deeds because we expect the admiration and respect of others or for selfish reasons like the Scribes and Pharisees, then we have already received our reward and should not expect to be rewarded by our heavenly Father.   If we do good deeds because we expect to be rewarded for good deeds done, our motives are also questionable.  

 

However, if we do good deeds out of love for God and neighbor, simply because it is the right thing to do or because we wish to be good, not expecting to be rewarded for doing them, then we are on the right path. Our motives are honest and true, and our righteousness is justified before the eyes of God.  

 

Therefore, let us heed the Lord's warning.  Let our prayer today be: "Lord, give me the courage, the strength, and the wisdom not to do the right things for the wrong reasons.  Amen." 

 

 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

 

BIRTHDAY

     Adelaida Lombos

     Winona Lo

 

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.  

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

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