DAILY- HOMILY

14 November 2016 

Monday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

St. Joseph Pignatelli, Priest

Memorial.   White.   

Rev 1:1 – 4; 2:1 – 5 / Lk 18:35 – 43

Born in Saragossa, Spain, St. Joseph Pignatelli (1737 – 1811) worked tirelessly for the restoration of the Society of Jesus.  He was Jesuit Provincial of Italy from 1803 until his death.  The Society of Jesus was restored worldwide in 1814.

From the 1st Reading: Rev 1:1 – 3

The revelation of Jesus Christ.  God gave it to him to let his servants know what is soon to take place.  He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John, who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God and the declaration of Jesus Christ.  Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words, and happy those who hear them and treasure everything written here, for the time is near.  

Gospel Reading: Lk 18:  35 - 43

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out,  "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The people in front scolded him, "Be quiet!" but he cried out all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the man said, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus said, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you." At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

Reflection

Bartimaeus, a blind man who called out to Jesus for mercy, believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and that he could heal his blindness.  Amidst a crowd who tried to stop Bartimaeus, Jesus noticed him and immediately, Bartimaeus received healing.

Today, Bartimaeus symbolizes boldness of faith, persistence in seeking the healing grace of Jesus. In many ways, we see similar situations or we experience such incident ourselves.   

By grace we acknowledge our sickness, our sins and weaknesses.  With eyes of faith like Bartimaeus', we recognize the need for God's healing grace.  We seek Jesus and encounter him in a very personal way.  

This also reveals that Jesus truly knows each one of us, "by the strands of our hair."  He knows our needs even before we ask for his blessing. All we need is faith, bigger than all our needs.   

Oh, what Jesus can do for us!  The goodness and mercy of Jesus is bountiful. A big blessing indeed, a moment of grace to have such a bold Bartimaeus-like encounter with Jesus. On one hand, seeking the presence of Jesus in our daily prayer time reveals persistence. Henceforth, a deep faith to lead us to follow and call on Jesus at all times. 

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

     Eugene & Evelyn Uy Chua

IN MEMORIAM (+)

     Choa Thian Siu (Jan 21, 1913 – Nov 14, 1983)

     Maria See Co (Mar 23, 1916 – Nov 14, 2007)

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.  

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