DAILY- HOMILY

27 August 2016 

Saturday, 21st Week in Ordinary Time

St. Monica, Widow 

Memorial.      White.         

1 Cor 1:26 – 31 / Mt 25: 14 – 30

Born in Tagaste in Africa, St. Monica (331 – 387) prayed for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430).

Gospel Reading: Mt 25: 14 - 30

Jesus said to his disciples, "Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a third, each one according to his ability; and he went away.

"He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. The one who received two did the same and gained another two. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master's money.

"After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying: 'Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five more with them.' The master answered: 'Very well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'

"Then the one who had two talents came and said: 'Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; I have two more which I gained with them.' The master said: 'Well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'

"Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said: 'Master, I know that you are an exacting man. You reap what you have not sown and gather what you have not invested. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours.' But his master replied: 'Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not invested. Then you should have deposited my money in the bank, and you would have given it back to me with interest on my return.

"'Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into the dark where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

Reflection

In the parable in today's Gospel,  a talent was  a unit of measurement of precious metal. Thus, the more talents a servant had, the more he enjoyed the trust of his master.  This led to the present meaning of the word 'talent' which now means a gift or skill that one possesses that is deemed beneficial to the world or to whoever possesses that talent.

In the same way, we are all blessed with so many spiritual, emotional, mental and even financial gifts from God.  This can only mean that God has entrusted us all with more of His mission to spread the Good News in all we do and say.  Through that, we will continually praise God in all our actions, decisions and deeds.  This way, we will all continue to be gifts of God to the world, and we will forever remain in His grace.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Alehea S. Espiritu

     Luis Chua

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.  

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

26 August 2016 

Friday, 21st Week in Ordinary Time 

Green.          

1 Cor 1: 17 – 25 / Mt 25: 1 – 13

Gospel Reading: Mt 25: 1 -13

Jesus said to his disciples, "This story throws light on what will happen in the kingdom of heaven. Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were careless while the others were sensible. 

"The careless bridesmaids took their lamps as they were and did not bring extra oil. But those who were sensible, brought with their lamps flasks of oil. As the bridegroom delayed, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 

"But at midnight, a cry rang out: 'the bridegroom is here, come out and meet him!' All the maidens woke up at once and trimmed their lamps. Then the careless ones said to the sensible ones: 'Give us some oil, for our lamps are going out.' The sensible ones answered: 'There may not be enough for both you and us. You had better go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.'  

"They were out buying oil when the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him to the wedding feast, and the doors were shut. Later the rest of the bridesmaids arrived and called out: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answered: 'Truly, I do not know you.'  

"So, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour."

Reflection

In the Gospel reading, five  bridesmaids were foolish because they did not bring oil for their lamps and five were sensible because they did. 

What does it mean not to bring oil?  Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.  If we do not have it, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, which is symbolized by the wedding banquet.  So if we want to obtain the Holy Spirit, we should pray for it.  We must stay awake and take seriously our spiritual lives.  

While it is true that the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, it is often given to those who truly want it.  Many people want to experience spiritual joy without giving up worldly desires and carrying the cross.  They are foolish because matters of the spirit do not mix with worldly pleasures.  We have to choose one or the other.  We have to choose between God or money.  Sometimes we may even have to choose between God and family.  

The sensible bridesmaids had thought out what was needed to enter the wedding hall.  So they brought extra oil for their lamps and were watchful for the bridegroom to arrive.  We too must be vigilant and watchful because the Lord will come when we least expect him to.  But if we have the Holy Spirit, we need not be afraid when he does come.  He will welcome us into the wedding hall and we will dine with him.   

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Edwin C. Inocentes

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.  

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