DAILY- HOMILY

January 6, 2017 – Friday, Christmas Weekday  

St. Andre Bessette, Religious

FRIDAY

White

1 Jn 5: 5 - 13 / Mk 1: 7- 11

     Holy Cross religious Brother St. Andre Bessette (1845 - 1937), known as "Frere Andre," has been credited with thousands of cures. He founded St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Canada, perhaps the world's principal shrine in honor of St. Joseph.

FROM THE 1ST READING:      1 Jn 5: 11, 13

     What has God said? That he has granted us eternal life and this life is in his Son. . . . I write you, then, all these things that you may know that you have eternal life, all you who believe in the Name of the Son of God.

GOSPEL READING:     Mk 1:7- 11

     John preached to the people saying, "After me comes one who is more powerful than I am; I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. As for me, I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandals."

     At that time Jesus came from Nazareth, a town of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And the moment he came up out of the water, heaven opened before him and he saw the Spirit coming down on him like a dove. And these words were heard from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved, the One I have chosen."

REFLECTION

     Our life with the Church began when we were baptized. We were taught that the sacrament of Baptism cleanses us from original sin and all other sins; we are welcomed as members of the Church. It is unfortunate that, for many, membership in the Church means they are baptized, hopefully married and buried in the Church. Confirmation, the first experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion are, for many, not much more than occasions for celebrations in our lives.

     In the first reading from one of the letters of John, we are clearly reminded that we have eternal life through and in the name of the Lord Jesus, Son of God.

     The Gospel reading tells us of the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan. Unlike others baptized by John, the baptism of Jesus was not for repentance for sin. At Jesus' baptism, he is confirmed by the Spirit coming down on him like a dove and the Father's message, "You are my Son, the Beloved, and the One I have chosen."

     We had no choice when we were baptized as infants: our parents and godparents spoke for us and affirmed their Catholic faith for us. Our living out of our baptismal vows depends on us; our living according to the dictates of Christ and his Church depends on us. Our participation in the life of the Church especially through Sunday Mass with the Christian community depends on us.

     Let us live following the words of John, "I write you, then, all these things that you may know that you have eternal life, all you who believe in the Name of the Son of God."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     NENOCA OQUIALDA

   CIPRIANO C. MORALES JR.

IN MEMORIAM   (†)

     DIONISIO C. SO 

     LIM CHING KHO 

     HILARIO SILVANO

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.  

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