DAILY- HOMILY

WEDNESDAY, 13th Week in Ordinary Time 

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest and Religious Founder 

Green

Gn 21: 5, 8- 20a / Mt 8: 28- 34

     Born in Cremona, Italy, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 -1539) had studied medicine but became a priest. He founded the Congregation of Clerks Regular of St. Paul (Barnabites, 1533) for the purpose of reform of the clergy and the laity. He also founded a congregation for women.

FROM THE GOSPEL READING:     Mt 8: 28- 32

     When Jesus reached Gadara on the other side, he was met by two demoniacs who came out from the tombs. They were so fierce that no one dared pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, "What do you want with us, you, Son of God? Have you come to torture us before the time?"

     At some distance away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. So the demons begged him, "If you drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs." Jesus ordered them, "Go." So they left and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the cliff into the lake and drowned.

REFLECTION

     In today's Gospel reading Jesus shows his divine powers: he calms the stormy sea by his word and he drives out demons from two men.

     The disciples in the boat with Jesus feared for their lives in the sudden strong winds and waves bearing on their boat: "'Why are you so afraid, you of little faith?' Then he stood up and ordered the wind and sea, and it became completely calm."

     Back at the shore, Jesus drives out demons which possessed two men. The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God: Jesus allows them to leave the men, to go into the herd of pigs which then rushed down the cliff and drowned.

     We may not see or experience possession by demons as in the Gospel narrative. But in reality we are possessed by a whole variety of "demons": greed, glutton, lust, envy, pride and this world and its prevailing values are all "demons" which trouble and possess us, complicate our lives, bring us to sin and drive us away from our God.

     We take comfort knowing that our God is present with his grace and help, to help us overcome these demons in our lives. We need prayer; we need faith. God will take care of the rest.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     NOEMI IRASIUTA

     ROMAR JULIUS P. LUCERO

THANKSGIVING 

     PHILIPPINE BRITISH ASSSURANCE COMPANY INC.

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     GERMAN SlY

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.  

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