DAILY- HOMILY

July 20, 2017 – THURSDAY, 15th Week in Ordinary Time 

St. Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr Green

Ex 3: 13 - 20 / Mt 11: 28- 30

     According to tradition, St. Apollinaris (d. 79), born in Antioch, was consecrated a bishop by St. Peter and sent to Ravenna during the reign of Emperor Claudius.

FROM THE FIRST READING:          Ex 3: 14- 20

     God said to Moses, "I AM WHO AM. This is what you will say to the sons of Israel: 'I AM sent me to you."' God then said to Moses, "You will say to the Israelites: 'Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Jacob, the God of Isaac, has sent me.' That will be my name forever, and by this name they shall call upon me for all generations to come."

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 11: 28- 30

     Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry burdens and

I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light."

REFLECTION

     In the first reading, in the account of the encounter of Moses with God in the burning bush, God reveals his name to Moses and his plan to liberate Israel from slavery in Egypt. In his goodness and mercy, God will bring his chosen people to the promised land, flowing with milk and honey.

     In the Gospel reading Jesus assures us that, with and in him, life is bearable and meaningful: "Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry burdens and I will refresh you." Jesus invites us to "take his yoke" and to learn from his gentleness and humility.

     Jesus reminds us that life in this world is within the context of the God who created and controls the world. God has gifted us with creation and tasked us to have dominion over the world, for our good and his greater glory. This demands our hard work but we should not forget that our work is within God's plan and work. Let us never lose trust in God's benevolent love and care for us and his creation.

     God answered the prayers of Israel as they suffered in their slavery in Egypt. In similar fashion God will answer our prayers in our lives. Let us never forget that this powerful God is our loving Father who cares for us. With him the heavy challenges and burdens of our life will always be bearable, even good and light.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

IN MEMORIAM (†)

      YAN CHING BEE 

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.  

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