DAILY- HOMILY

September 9, 2017 – SATURDAY, 22ND Week in Ordinary Time

St. Peter Claver, Priest

Memorial, White

Col: 21 - 23 / Lk 6: 1 - 5

     Born near Barcelona, St. Peter Claver (1560- 1654) was a Jesuit missionary priest who spent his life in service to African slaves in Cartagena. He was encouraged to go to the foreign missions by Jesuit lay brother St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533 - 1617)

1st READING:     Col: 21- 23

     You yourselves were once estranged and opposed to God because of your evil deeds, but now you have been reconciled. God reconciled you by giving up to death the body of Christ, so that you may be without fault, holy and blameless before him. Only stand firm, upon the foundation of our faith, and be steadfast in hope. Keep in mind the Gospel you have heard.

GOSPEL READING:           Lk 6: 1 - 5

     One sabbath Jesus was going through th corn fields and his disciples began to pick heads of grain crushing them in their hands for food. Some of the Pharisees asked them, "Why do you do what is forbidden on the sabbath?"

     Then Jesus spoke, "Have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry? He entered the house of God, took and ate the bread of the offering and even gave some to his men, though only priests are allowed to eat that bread." And Jesus added, "The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the sabbath."

REFLECTION

     More than merely fulfilling a set of rules or obligations, our Christian life is about loving someone. To fulfill our obligations as Christians is definitely good, but we cannot limit our life to this minimum. We must explore further in this divine adventure of discovering and loving our Lord Jesus Christ because our holiness is measured not so much by the rules we have followed and the evil we have avoided but rather by our love of God and others.

     One could attend Mass every Sunday, thus fulfilling his/her Sunday obligation, and yet have a heart far from God. More important than just doing what is required is to grow in our love for God. We ask God to increase and confirm our love for him.

     Attending Sunday Mass is much more than being present in church. Do we do so with devotion? Do we dress properly for Mass, if indeed we meet Christ and receive him at Mass? Do we come on time? Do we pay close attention to what really happens at Mass? Do I really worship with the Christian community when I attend Mass?

Loving God is shown in all the many aspects and circumstances of one's life. God looks more to what is in a person's heart, to what a person really is. We are judged on how much and truly we love God, and because we love God, on how much we have shown love and care for others. This is what our life is all about. Nothing else can give us greater peace and joy.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     EVELYN BAUTISTA

     GERALD C. QUINTANA

     GIANFRANCO V. AMURAO

     JOYCE TIU

     ROCHELLE C. ARCENIO

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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