DAILY- HOMILY

August 28, 2017 – MONDAY, 21st Week in Ordinary Time

St. Augustine of Hippo

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Memorial, White

[National Heroes' Day]

1 Thes 1: 1 - 5, Sb- 10 / Mt 23: 13- 22

     Born in Tagaste in Africa, St. Augustine (354- 430), Bishop of Hippo and one of the greatest doctors of the Church, called the "Doctor of Grace," combated Manicheans, Donatists and Pelagians.

FROM THE FIRST READING:          1 Thes 1: 2

     We give thanks to God at all times for you and remember you in our prayers. We constantly recall before God our Father the work of your faith, the labors of your love and your endurance in waiting for Christ Jesus our Lord.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 23: 13- 22

     Jesus said, "Therefore, woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door to the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor do you allow others to do so.

     "Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel by sea and land to win a single convert, yet once he is converted, you turn him twice as fit for hell as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides! You say: To swear by the Temple is not binding, but to swear by the treasure of the Temple is. Blind fools! Which is worth more? The gold in the Temple or the Temple which makes the gold a sacred treasure.

     "You say: To swear by the altar is not binding, but to swear by the offering on the altar is. How blind you are! Which is of more value? The offering on the altar or the altar which makes the offering sacred? Whoever swears by the altar is swearing by the altar and everything on it. Whoever swears by the Temple is swearing by it and by God who dwells in the Temple. Whoever swears by heaven is swearing by the throne of God and by him who is seated by it."

REFLECTION

     In the Gospel reading, Jesus places primary importance in our faith in God. We forget God at times. Jesus reminds us that religion and religious practices do not make things sacred; it is God who gives meanng to and makes sacred religion and religious practices.

     It is so easy to get caught up in rituals and religious practices, as the Pharisees and teachers of the Law were: we should not forget that it is God who is the center and meaning of rituals and religious practices. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law paraded their practice of religion and rituals: Jesus condemned them and reminded them that it was love of God and concern for his honor and glory which were of utmost importance. Jesus reminded them that their duty was to lighten and not to make life more difficult for their followers.

     How are we in the rituals and religious practices of our faith? Do we understand and appreciate them as mere instruments to honor and serve God?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     ELIGIO R. REYES

     FELICIDAD CUA-LIM, MD

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

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.