DAILY- HOMILY

March 12, 2017 - 2nd SUNDAY OF LENT

Violet

Gn 12:1 - 4a / 2 Tm 1:8b- 10 / Mt 17: 1 - 9

     [Anniversary of the Canonization of Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest and Founder of the Society of Jesus, and Francis Xavier. Priest and Principal Patron of All Missions, 1622]

1ST READING:     Gn 12: 1- 4a

     Yahweh said to Abram, "Leave your country, your family and your father's house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse, and in you all peoples of the earth will be blessed." So Abram went as Yahweh had told him, and Lot went with him.'

2ND READING:     2 Tm 1: 8b- 10

     On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the Gospel with the strength of God. He saved us and called us - a calling which proceeds from his holiness. This did not depend on our merits, but on his generosity and his own initiative. This calling given to us from all time in Christ Jesus has been manifested with the glorious appearance of Christ Jesus, our Lord, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light in his Gospel.

GOSPEL READING:     Mt 17: 1 - 9

     Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where he was alone. Jesus' appearance was changed before them: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became bright as light. Just then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking to Jesus.

     Peter spoke and said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here, if you so wish, I will make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

     Peter was still speaking when a bright cloud covered them in its shadow, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, my Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him."

     On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear. But Jesus came, touched them and said, "Stand up, do not be afraid." When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus. And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.

REFLECTION

     What do you get if you have faith in God and follow his will? We very naturally ask, "What is in it for me?" before investing ourselves in anything.

     Abraham, initially called Abram, is the "Father of faith." The test of true faith is exemplified by Abraham in his obedience to God's will, obedience which may be difficult but which ultimately brings us to the fullness of life and happiness.

     In today's first reading from Genesis, we hear God's promise and blessing for Abraham: God promises providence, purpose and protection to Abraham: providence - "I will bless you"; purpose - "I will bless others through you"; and protection- "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

     God's promises are clear: God is always faithful to his promises rewarding faith and obedience "far more than we can ask for or imagine." (Eph 3: 20)

     In the Gospel reading about the transfiguration of Jesus on the holy mountain, the voice from the cloud, his heavenly Father, tells the disciples, "This is my Son, my Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him."

     What is God's will for us? Are we willing to "listen to him," to do his will for us? Do we believe in God's word and promises?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     LUY KIM GUAN

OTHER INTENTIONS

     For the healing and well-being of Joey Dy

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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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

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