DAILY- HOMILY

January 17, 2018 – WEDNESDAY, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

St. Anthony, Abbot

Memorial. White..

1 Sm 17: 32- 33, 37, 40- 51/ Mk 3: 1- 6

Called the Patriarch of monks, St. Anthony (251 - 356) retired to the desert at the age of 18. He was the first to establish rules for a community of monks.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             1 Sm 17: 32, 37, 50

David said to Saul, "Let no one be discouraged on account of this Philistine, for your servant will engage him in battle." ...

David continued, "Yahweh, who delivered me from the paws of lions and bears, will deliver me from the hands of the Philistine." Saul then said to David, "Go and may Yahweh be with you." ...

David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, felling him without using a sword. He rushed forward, stood over him, took the Philistine's sword and slew him by cutting off his head.

GOSPEL READING:           Mk 3: 1 - 6

Again Jesus entered the synagogue. A man who had a paralyzed hand was there, and some of the people watched Jesus: Would he heal the man on the sabbath? If he did they could accuse him.

Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, "Stand here in the center." Then he asked them, "What does the Law allow on the sabbath? To do good or to do harm? To save life or to kill?" But they were silent.

Then Jesus looked around at them with anger and deep sadness because they had closed their minds. And he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was healed. But as soon as the Pharisees left, they met with Herod's supporters, looking for a way to destroy Jesus.

REFLECTION

In the first reading we hear about the triumph of the young shepherd David over the Philistine champion Goliath by the power of Yahweh: "You have come against me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come against you with Yahweh, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Yahweh will deliver you this day into my hands and I will strike you down and cut off your head." (1 Sm

17: 45- 46a)

In the Gospel reading Jesus disputes with the Pharisees about their interpretation of the Sabbath law: "What does the Law allow on the sabbath? To do good or to do harm? To save life or to kill?" Despite the opposition of the Pharisees Jesus cures the man with the paralyzed hand on the sabbath: the Pharisees had hardened their hearts and were blind to the real intent of the Sabbath law.

Jesus tried to reach out to the Pharisees and to teach them to be open­

minded to his teaching and actions.

Are we close-minded to what God has revealed to us in the teaching and life of Christ? Or in the many happenings in our lives? Do we rely more on ourselves or do we live our trust in God?

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

  Ester Reyes Tagud

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

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