DAILY- HOMILY

November 20, 2019 – WEDNESDAY, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Green.

2 Mc 7: 1, 20 – 31 / Lk 19: 11 – 28

FROM THE 1ST READING: 2 Mc 7: 20 – 23
More than all of them, their mother ought to be admired and remembered.. She saw her seven sons die in a single day. But she endured it with joy for she had put her hope in the Lord. Full of a noble sense of honor, she encouraged each one of them in the language of their fathers.

Her woman's heart was moved by manly courage, she told them: "I wonder how you were born of me; it was not I who gave you breath and life, nor I who ordered the matter of your body. The Creator of the world who formed man in the beginning and ordered the unfolding of all creation shall in his mercy give you back breath and life, since you now despise them for love of his laws."

FROM THE GOSPEL READING: Lk 19: 26 – 27
Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you: everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for my enemies who did not want me to be king, bring them in and execute them right here in my presence."

REFLECTION
In the first reading we hear about the faith and courage of the mother     of seven sons killed for their adherence to Jewish law, "I ask you now, my son, that when you see the heavens, the earth and all that is in it, you know that God made all this from nothing, and the human race as well.  Do not  fear these executioners, but make yourself worthy of your brothers – accept death that you may again meet your brothers in the time of mercy." (2 Mc 7: 28 – 29)

In the parable of the talents in the Gospel reading, we are told that we must make the best use of the gifts given us in life: we will be rewarded or punished accordingly.

Our God-given gifts win for us much coveted worldly honors: power, prestige, fame. They could be boon or bane depending on how we use them. Success and fame could be all-consuming passions, leading to our own destruction. Our talents could remain dormant in us for a variety of reasons: such would be great lack of responsibility on our part.

No one is without talents and gifts. Everyone has something to offer and to work with. Even in old age, we can give good example and guidance.

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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