DAILY- HOMILY

February 8, 2018 – THURSDAY, 5th Week in Ordinary Time 

St. Jerome Emiliani, Priest and Religious Founder 

St. Josephine Bakhita, Religious

Green..

1 Kgs 11: 4- 13 / Mk 7: 24- 30

Born in Venice, St. Jerome Emiliani (1486 - 1537) founded the Company of Servants of the Poor, clerks regular approved by Pope Paul Ill in 1540. Pope Pius IX named him Patron of orphans and abandoned infants..

Born a Sudanese slave and eventually given her freedom by an Italian Consul, St. Josephine Bakhita (1869 - 1947) became a religious of the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa and lived a quiet life in humble service in her religious congregation.

FROM THE 1ST READING:             1 Kgs 11: 4, 9 - 11

In Solomon's old age, his wives led him astray to serve other gods and unlike his father David, his heart was no longer wholly given to Yahweh his God....

Yahweh became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from Yahweh, the God of Israel. Yahweh appeared to him twice and commanded him not to follow other gods. But he did not obey Yahweh's command. Therefore, Yahweh said to Solomon, "Since this has been your choice and you have kept neither my Covenant nor the statutes I commanded you, I will take the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. "

GOSPEL READING:              Mk 7: 24- 30

When Jesus left that place he went to the border of the Tyrian country. There he entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there, but he could not remain hidden.

A woman whose small daughter had an evil spirit heard of him and came and fell at his feet. Now this woman was a pagan, a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

Jesus said, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." But she replied, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs from the children's bread." Then Jesus said to her, "You may go your way; because of such a reply the demon has gone out of your daughter." And when the woman went home, she found her daughter lying in bed and the demon gone.

REFLECTION

In today's Gospel reading Jesus rewards the faith and humility of the Syro­

phoenician woman by driving away the demon tormenting her daughter.

Using the image of a house-owner, his children and dogs, Jesus reiterates that his mission was primarily for the Jewish people: "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

In utmost humility, the desperate mother counters, "Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs from the children's bread."

How could Jesus not give a woman with such humility and faith what she was asking for?

In the first reading the ever-faithful God takes away the kingdom from Solomon's line because Solomon had himself turned away from God and his Covenant with God.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     Peter Tiu

     Cora Cabral

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 

     Emmanuel & Lilia Hao

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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