DAILY- HOMILY

23 September 2016  

Friday, 25th Week in Ordinary Time  

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest 

Memorial.         White.          

Eccl 3:1 – 11 / Lk 9:18 – 22

Born in the Italian village of Pietrelcina, St. Padre Pio (1887 – 1968) was a Capuchin priest famed for his miraculous abilities as a confessor, spiritual adviser and intercessor.

Gospel Reading: Lk 9:18 - 22  

One day when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, "What do people say about me?" And they answered, "Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the former prophets risen from the dead." Again Jesus asked them, "Who then do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.

And he added, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."

Reflection

The Gospel reading presents a key event in the public ministry of Jesus. After a couple of years with his disciples, years of teaching by word and by his miracles and actions, he asks them what people say of him and what they say he is.

This disciples say that others think he was John the Baptist or Elijah or one of the prophets risen from the dead. When asked who they themselves say Jesus was, Peter makes the confession, in the name of all of them that he was "the Messiah of God."  

After the disciples declared their faith in him as the Messiah, Jesus goes on to reveal that as Messiah he "must suffer many things . . .  be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."

Though aware of what he had to undergo, Jesus remained obedient to the Father's will. As he prayed in Gethsemane,  "Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me;  still not my will but yours be done."  (Lk 22: 42)

This is the path and way for anyone who wishes to follow Christ: "If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me."

St. Padre Pio followed the Lord in his life of simplicity and generous service to the Lord in endless hours in the confessional. His life and example teach us, it is possible to follow the Lord in whatever life we may have.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Teddy Cua

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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