DAILY- HOMILY

26 July 2016

Tuesday, 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Sts. Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Memorial.          White.      

Sir 44:1, 10 – 15 / Mt 13:16 – 17

Devotion to Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an extension of the veneration of Mary.

From the Gospel Reading: Mt 13:16 - 17

Jesus said, "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears, because they hear.  For I tell you that many prophets and upright people have longed to see the things you see, but they did not see them, and to hear the things you hear, but they did not hear them."

Reflection

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  My husband and I attend a childbirth preparation class where would-be parents not only learn how to cope with child labor, but ultimately learn how to help each other during difficult situations. If Saint Joachim and Anne prepared for childbirth at all, I can only imagine how much preparation they felt was needed if they had known that they were also going to raise the future mother of Jesus Christ.

Baby boutiques, expos and bazaars seek to convince future parents to buy anything and everything that could guarantee their child's happiness, health and success in the world.  But what could a parent buy to guarantee a life of faith and obedience to the Lord?  Mary's parents may not have had access to the best baby products but they must have surely had an unlimited supply of God's love and grace.  They must have experienced so much of the Lord's providence and protection as parents and as a family that it was only natural for Mary to respond to God's invitation readily. 

In the Gospel reading, many parables of Jesus refer to the fact that the Word of God is perceived and accepted differently by different people.  There are as many degrees of openness and acceptance of Christ's teachings as there are Christians in the world. 

We say that the Scriptures are the inspired word of God; we say that God speaks to us through the Scriptures.

However, a verse or chapter in the Bible may mean different things to one person at different times of his or her life. This is why we are urged to read and reflect on the Scriptures. This is why the first part of the Mass, the liturgy of the Word, exposes us to the Scriptures and, through the homily or reflections of the presider. We are helped in our understanding of the Scriptures.

Being open to the Word of God, whether through reading and reflection or through reflections of others, is one way we can grow in faith, and thus be better equipped to share that faith with others.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Rogelio & Edita Salonga

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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