DAILY- HOMILY

December 23, 2017 – SATURDAY, 3rd Week of Advent

O Emmanuel / St. John of KantPriest

Violet

[Misa de Gallo, White, with Gloria]

Mal 3: 1 - 4, 23 - 24 / Lk 1: 57 - 66

     Born in Krakow, Poland, St. John of Kanty (1390 - 1473) taught the Scriptures and was noted for his piety and charity.

FROM THE FIRST READING:          Mal 3: 1 - 3a

     Now I am sending my messenger ahead of me to clear the way; then suddenly the Lord for whom you long will enter the sanctuary. The envoy of the covenant which you so greatly desire already comes, says Yahweh of hosts. Who can bear the day of his coming and remain standing when he appears? For he will be like fire in the foundry and like the lye used for bleaching.

     He will be as a refiner or a fuller. He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold or silver.

From the GOSPEL READING:        Lk 1: 59- 66

     When on the eighth day they came to attend the circumcision of the child, they wanted to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." They said to her, "No one in your family has that name"; and they asked the father by means of signs for the name he wanted to give. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote on it, "His name is John," and they were surprised. Immediately Zechariah could speak again and his first words were in praise of God.

     A holy fear came on all in the neighborhood and throughout the Hills of Judea the people talked about these events. All who heard of it pondered in their minds and wondered, "What will this child be? " For they understood that the hand of the Lord was with him.

REFLECTION

     In the first reading the prophet Malachi speaks of a messenger who will clear the way, who "will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold or silver."

     The Gospel reading speaks of the birth of John the Baptist, at whose birth the angel said "he himself will open the way to the Lord with the spirit of Elijah; he will reconcile fathers and children, and lead the disobedient to wisdom and righteousness, in order to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Lk 1: 17)

     Obedient to the angel who had given the name John for the child, Zechariah who had doubted the angel's words, regains his speech: "His name is John."

Blessed even from Elizabeth's womb, John the Baptist had a special role as the Precursor for the coming of Jesus.. Our roles may not be as central as John's in the history of salvation, but God has a unique special plan and role for each one of us.. Are we ready to discern what that role is and follow it as best as we can?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     BENITA Q. TEE TEN

     GAVIN JOHN ANTHONY UY

     JOY CHUA

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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