DAILY- HOMILY

January 13, 2018 – SATURDAY, 1st Week in Ordinary Time I

St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Green.

1 Sm 9: 1 - 4, 17- 19; 10: 1 / Mk 2: 13- 17

St. Hilary (315- 368), Bishop of Poitiers, was a leading defender against the

Arian heresy in the West.

St. Hilary (315- 368), Bishop of Poitiers, was a leading defender against the

Arian heresy in the West.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             1 Sm 9: 17- 19; 10:1

So, when Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, "Here is the man I spoke to you about! He shall rule over my people." Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and said, "Tell me, where is the house of the seer?" Samuel answered Saul, "I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me. In the morning before you leave, I will tell you all that is in your heart." ...

Then Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on Saul's head. And kissing Saul, Samuel said, "Yahweh has anointed you to rule over and to lead his people Israel. And this will be Yahweh's sign to you that he has anointed you."

GOSPEL READING:           Mk 2: 13- 17

When Jesus went out again beside the lake, a crowd came to him and he taught them. As he walked along, he saw a tax collector sitting in his office. This was Levi, the son of Alpheus. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." And Levi got up and followed him.

And it so happened that while Jesus was eating at Levi's house, tax collectors and sinners were sitting with him and his disciples for there were indeed many of them. But there were also teachers of the Law of the Pharisees' party, among those who followed Jesus, and when they saw him eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples "Why! He eats with tax collectors and sinners!"

Jesus heard them and answered, "Healthy people don't need a doctor; but sick people do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

REFLECTION

In the first reading the people asked for a king and God gave them Saul to be their first king, after the period of the judges in the history of Israel. Saul did not turn out a good king because his heart was not totally dedicated to God. Whoever wants to be a leader must have a pure heart, dedicated to the service of God and people. People in authority should be humble and willing to serve and not be served. This is what distinguishes earthly rulers from rulers chosen by God.

In the Gospel reading Levi, St Matthew, was called to be an apostle not because he was good but because God was merciful. Chosen by Christ, Matthew dedicated his life totally to God, even to martyrdom for him. He is said to have preached in Persia and Ethiopia. God looks at the hearts of people: those chosen by God to serve should be ready to be changed by God.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Jeremy S. Eliab

IN MEMORIAM (+) 

     Ildefonsa B. Soria

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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