Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Thursday, 3rd Week of Advent
15 December 2016
Thursday, 3rd Week of Advent
Violet.
Is 54: 1 – 10 / Lk 7: 24 – 30
Gospel Reading: Lk 7: 24 - 30
When John's messengers had gone, Jesus began speaking to the people about John. And he said, "What did you want to see when you went to the desert? A tall reed blowing in the wind? A man dressed in fine clothes? But people who wear fine clothes and enjoy delicate food are found in palaces. What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. For John is the one foretold in Scripture in these words: I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare your ways. No one may be found greater than John among those born of women but, I tell you, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he,"
All the people listening to him, even the tax collectors, had acknowledged the will of God in receiving the baptism of John, whereas the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, in not letting themselves be baptized by John ignored the will of God.
Reflection
John's austere preaching challenged his listeners to repent and change their ways so as to be ready to welcome the awaited Messiah. Jesus preached forgiveness and mercy and worked healing and life-giving miracles.
At one time John had sent emissaries among his followers to ask Jesus, "Are you the one we are expecting or should we wait for another?" (Lk 7:19) Jesus' reply to the messengers were, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news. Now, listen: Fortunate are those who encounter me, but not for their downfall." (Lk 7: 22 – 23)
And just as John and his followers had questions about Jesus, the followers of Jesus had their questions about John. That is the context of today's Gospel reading, giving Jesus the chance to praise his cousin John: "No one may be found greater than John among those born of women." (Lk 7: 28a)
But to his great praise of John, Jesus adds a reminder that can be a message for us and our Church today: but. I tell you, the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Lk 7:28b) John's greatness was not shown by signs of fashionable grandeur. Sumptuous living is not a credible sign for anyone preaching the path to God's kingdom. Greatness for those who want to enter the kingdom of God is to be John-like in simplicity.
Advent is a time for us to challenge ourselves as we prepare once again.
To receive into our lives the Messiah. Jesus was born in genuine human simplicity. Following the example of John's simplicity of life can make ourselves ready to welcome Jesus into our lives as we prepare for Christmas this year.
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Celia Chua Jao
PRAYER INTENTION
Merwin Mart, Baclaran
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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Wednesday, 3rd Week of Advent
14 December 2016
Wednesday, 3rd Week of Advent
St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
Memorial. White.
Is 45:6c - 8, 18, 21c – 25 / Lk 7: 18b – 23
Born near Avila in Spain, St. John of the Cross (1542 – 1591) worked with St. Teresa of Avila (1515 – 1582) in reforming the Carmelites and as a result suffered much, even imprisonment. While in prison he wrote ark Night of the Soul, a profound work of mysticism.
Gospel Reading: Lk 7: 18 – 23
The disciples of John gave him all this news. So he called two of them and sent them to the Lord with this message, "Are you the one we are expecting, or should we wait for another?" These men came to Jesus and said, "John the Baptist sent us to ask you: Are you the one we are to expect, or should we wait for another?"
At that time Jesus healed many people of their sicknesses or diseases; he freed them from evil spirits and he gave sight to the blind. Then he answered the messengers, "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news. Now, listen: Fortunate are those who encounter me, but not for their downfall."
Reflection
Whenever we stumble, get into a bad situation that seems unredeemable, more often than not we ask ourselves: why is God allowing this to happen to us?
The Lord may have blessed us with so many good and wonderful things in our life, but then a sudden unnerving circumstance may cause our faith in the good Lord to waver or even to fail.
In the Gospel reading, through messengers John wished to be assured that Jesus, whom he had baptized at the Jordan river, "was the one we are expecting." Jesus assures him by pointing to what he was doing, which was what the Messiah was prophesied to do: "Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor are given good news."
Let us put our complete trust and faith in God whose love for us is unconditional. The support of community, as in prayer groups, bible studies, a talk with a good friend, more frequent attendance at Mass – all of these can help build up our faith.
We are strengthened by the assurance that "the same Eternal Father who takes care of you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it." (St. Francis de Sales, in A Catholic Prayer Book).
WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:
BIRTHDAY
Hubert See Co
Cecile P. Catindig
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Carlos & Lynda Lao
IN MEMORIAM (+)
Celestino Eugenio Rivera
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.
+================================================+
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