DAILY- HOMILY

June 16, 2017 – FRIDAY, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

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2 Cor 4: 7 - 15 / Mt 5: 27 – 32

FROM THE FIRST READING:     2 Cor 4: 7- 10

     However, we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, so that this all-surpassing power may not be seen as ours but God's. Trials of every sort come to us but we are not discouraged. We are left without answer but do not despair, persecuted but not abandoned, knocked down but not crushed. At any moment we carry in our person the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in us.

GOSPEL READING:     Mt 5: 27- 32

     Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said: Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to satisfy his lust has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart.

     "So, if your right eye causes you to sin, pull it out and throw it away! It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

     "It was also said: anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written notice of divorce. But what I tell you is this: If a man divorces his wife except in the case of unlawful union, he causes her to commit adultery. And the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."

REFLECTION

     In the Gospel reading Jesus clarifies that adultery is committed not only in deed but also in thought and in the heart: "Do not commit adultery. But I tell you this: anyone who looks at a woman to satisfy his lust has in fact already committed adultery with her in his heart."

     Jesus also declares the indissolubility of Christian marriage. In the parallel passage in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus refers to the Old Testament, "Man has to leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body. So they are no longer two but one body. Therefore let no one separate what God has joined." (Mk 10: 7- 9)

     In the Gospel reading Jesus says that we should prefer to lose our eye or whatever part of the body responsible for the sin, rather than risk damnation because of sin. If something or some place might cause us to sin, avoid it. If a show brings lustful thoughts and acts, avoid it. Do we have any real choice?

     The following of Christ is not easy: Jesus speaks of the narrow path. Jesus says that his disciples, following a crucified Lord, should also be ready to carry their own crosses.

     But if we love the Lord, nothing is difficult to give; with God's grace, nothing is impossible.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     SR. LUTGARDA RAAGAS RVM

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

     CRESENCIO & CELIA JAO

     JAMES & JOSIE TAN GOTAMCO

     JEANNETTE & ATTY. BIDDY TAN

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     LIM YU LENG TIU (1907 - 1994)

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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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: 

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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.  

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

June 15, 2017 – THURSDAY, 10th Week in Ordinary Time

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2 Cor 3: 15- 4: 1, 3- 6 / Mt 5: 20 – 26

GOSPEL READING:     Mt 5: 20- 26

     Jesus said, "I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

     "You have heard that it was said to your people in the past: Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial. But now I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever humiliates a brother or sister deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar; go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

     "Don't forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise, he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay until you have paid the last penny."

REFLECTION

     In our own lives, how many times have we let our temper and anger get the better of us? How many times have we gotten into arguments where our ears were closed to all reason, though the other side may have had valid points? How often have we insisted on having the last word in an argument or disagreement because of our pride and stubbornness?

     In today's Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us to always take the higher ground. He teaches us to listen and to look the other with eyes of love and understanding. No argument is really won if it does not end in a reconciliation.

     And so, if up to now you still harbor ill feelings towards someone, go and make the first move to make peace with him/her. We hope that we are willing to say "sorry" even if the other side has refused to apologize. Indeed life is not about proving we are always right.

     Oftentimes we need to reach out and dialogue, even if it means we swallow our pride. Only when we let love and humility prevail will we arrive at lasting peace and reconciliation.

     Be ready to throw out pride and grudges out of the window if we wish to be true disciples of Christ. We will find out that this is truly liberating.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     JORDAN A. OBAMOS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

     WILFRED LIM & EDNA LEE LIM

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     CIPRIANO LU

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.  

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