DAILY- HOMILY

04 July 2016

Monday, 14th Week in Ordinary Time

St. Elizabeth of Portugal, Widow

Green.         

Hos 2:16, 17c – 18, 21 – 22 / Mt 9: 18 – 26

St. Elizabeth of Portugal (1271 – 1336), a daughter of King Peter III of Aragon, showed great charity to the poor and the needy.  She was named after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary (d 1231).

From the 1st Reading: Hos 2: 21 - 22

You will be my spouse forever, betrothed in justice and integrity;   we will be united in love and tenderness. I will espouse you in faithfulness and you will come to know Yahweh.

Gospel Reading: Mt 9: 18 – 26

While Jesus was speaking to them, an official of the synagogue came up to him and said, "My daughter has just died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live."  Jesus stood up and followed with his disciples.

Then a woman who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years came from behind and touched the edge of his cloak.  For she thought, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."  Jesus turned, saw her and said, "Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you."  And from that moment the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official's house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, he said, "Get out of here! The girl is not dead.  She is only sleeping.  And they laughed at him.  But once the crowd had been turned out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up. The news of this spread through the whole area. 

Reflection

Today's Gospel reading centers on the faith of the woman afflicted for many years with severe bleeding ("If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.") and of the synagogue official ("My daughter has just died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.")  Both approached Jesus, one secretly and unknown by Jesus and the other one directly, with great trust that Jesus could and would grant them what they wished.

In performing the cure of the woman and bringing the child back to life, Jesus acknowledged their faith, "Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you" and, in the versions of Mark and Luke, Jesus tells the official when they arrived at his house, "Do not fear, just believe."

In so many instances, Jesus repeatedly taught his disciples the power of faith, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, if you say to this mountain 'Get up and throw yourself into the sea,' and have no doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you." (Mk 11: 22 – 23)

How strong is our faith in God?  Are we like Peter walking on the lake who began to sink and was admonished by the Lord, "Man of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt 14:31b)

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Philip Go Sy

     Zacarias E. Gallardo Jr

THANKSGIVING

     Pasencia Sia

     Columbia

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Ronald & Aida Tagalog

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Geminiano Ong Acero

     Matthew Patrick C. Sy

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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