Sunday, December 30, 2012

 

MEMORIAL, ST SYLVESTER I

DECEMBER 31, 2012
MEMORIAL, ST SYLVESTER I
OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

1 Jn 2:18-21 / Jn 1:1-18

1 JOHN 2:18-21
My dear children, it is the last hour. You were told that an antichrist would come; but several antichrists have already come, by which we know that it is now the last hour. They went out from us though they did not really belong to us. Had they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. So it became clear that not all of us were really ours. But you have the anointing from the Holy One, so that all of you have true wisdom. I write to you, not because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you already know it, and lies have nothing in common with the truth.

JOHN 1:1-18
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God; he was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing came to be. Whatever has come to be, found life in him; life, which for human beings, was also light, light that shines in darkness, light that darkness could not overcome. A man came, sent by God; his name was John. He came to bear witness, as a witness to introduce the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but a witness to introduce the Light; for the Light was coming into the world, the true Light that enlightens everyone. He was in the world, and through him the world was made, the very world that did not know him. He came to his own, yet his own people did not receive him; but to all who received him he empowers to become children of God, for they believe in his Name. These are born, but not by seed, nor carnal desire, nor by the will of man: they are born of God. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness. John bore witness to him openly, saying, "This is the one who comes after me, but he is already ahead of me, for he was before me." From his fullness we have all received, favor upon favor. For God had given us the Law through Moses, but Truth and Loving-kindness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God-the-only-Son made him known: the one, who is in and with the Father.

REFLECTION
When we are tasked to implement a project or assigned to go on a mission, fears normally creep in. Everything seems dark at the start because we are faced with something unfamiliar; we are wrestling with the unknown. What do we do? What awaits us in that place where we will end up? What's going to happen?

If we allow these legitimate concerns to feed our anxieties, perhaps the journey will come to an abrupt stop before it even begins. Allowing the darkness to engulf us immobilizes us. Perhaps, our pessimistic views might hinder us from fully experiencing the bright promises of another New Year.

That is why Jesus invites us to be embraced by his consoling light. Even if at times we may be blinded by his intense brightness, we need to hold on to His Word and remain faithful. If we freely abide in His everlasting love, this helps dispel all insecurities, all uncertainty; all that is dark and gloomy in ourselves. He remains our shining beacon as we travel through uncharted territory. May His illuminated presence encourage us to share this light of hope to those who feel trapped in their own darkness. Let us bravely enter into His Light.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Renan Lacida
- Chief Sam Rose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Dr Ugo Anyaugo; Mr Ogechi Anyaugo; Barr (Mrs) Barbara Ada Okoronkwo;Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo; Mr. Chuba Anyaugo and Mrs Cordelia Anyaugo
… In Memoriam: Rex Owen O. Lucena
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Net Alburquerque
- Birthday: Josefina de Guzman
- Prayer Intention: Castillo Family
- Prayer Intention: Baboorankey
- In Memoriam (+): Felipe Que Chua, MD
- In Memoriam (+): Ong Huay Kia
- In Memoriam (+): Rafael Tansengco
- In Memoriam (+): Jose G. Centeno
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

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MEMORIAL, THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

DECEMBER 30, 2012
MEMORIAL, THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 / Col 3; 12-21 or 3:12- 17 or 1 Jn 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24 / Lk 2:41-52

SIRACH 3:2-6, 12-14
For the Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children. Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself. Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays. Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives com fort to his mother. My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives. Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health. For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins.

COLOSSIANS 3:12-21
Clothe yourselves, then, as is fitting for God's chosen people, holy and beloved of him. Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience to bear with one another and forgive whenever there is any occasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven you, forgive one another. Above all, clothe yourselves with love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. May the peace of Christ overflow in your hearts; for this end you were called to be one body. And be thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you in all its richness. Teach and admonish one another with words of wisdom. With thankful hearts sing to God psalms, hymns and spontaneous praise. And whatever you do or say, do it in the Name of Jesus, the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as you should do in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not get angry with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, because that pleases the Lord. Parents, do not be too demanding of your children, lest they become discouraged.

LUKE 2:41-52
Every year the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was twelve years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival was over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it. They thought he was in the company, and after walking the whole day they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem searching for him, and on the third day they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents were very surprised when they saw him, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you." Then he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand this answer. Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.

REFLECTION
It is disheartening to hear and see the gradual decimation and demise of the family. We are more aware of the realities of broken homes, the single parents' phenomenon, child abuse, and parental addictions. Such scenario is alarming because of its far-reaching consequences. When mothers, fathers or both have to leave their families to earn abroad, there are not only economic gains but also social costs. Is the effort worth it?

The family, no matter what its shortcomings and flaws are, remains the fundamental human connection. None of our families is holy and perfect; each is a combination of all sorts of conflicts, compulsions, and craziness that put to test our love and forgiveness. But in the midst of all that, God remains present. There is no other place to find Him. It is the place where He found us.

Yet the understanding of family has to be expanded. At the center of Jesus' family life and at the center of his ministry is his Father. That relationship is for Jesus the most important in his life because that gives him direction and support that will sustain him in his suffering and death. When Jesus describes his family in Scriptures, he says that it is not a relationship of blood but rather a relationship of fidelity to the Word of God. That is why he said: "My mother and brothers are those who hear the Word of God and hear it."

Like Jesus, we are thus tasked to focus our lives on the Word of God. Whether we live alone or in a family, whether we have many relatives or none, we can be all part of Jesus' new and expanded family. The only requirement is to hear the Word of God and fulfill it. Since Jesus extended his family, today's Feast of the Holy Family truly belongs to all of us. Look around then and see the people around us are indeed members of our family.

We then pray in gratitude for our respective families both in its usual and expanded meaning. We pray for a greater familiarity and unity of sense as we become better witnesses of God's love.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Mon Torres
- Fleur Torres
- Ditas dela Paz
- Alejandro Lecaros
- Renan Lacida
- Chief Sam Rose Anyaugo
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Dr Ugo Anyaugo; Mr Ogechi Anyaugo; Barr (Mrs) Barbara Ada Okoronkwo;Engr. Ifeanyi Matt Anyaugo; Mr. Chuba Anyaugo and Mrs Cordelia Anyaugo
… In Memoriam: Rex Owen O. Lucena
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Christopher S. Lim
- Birthday: Rizalito R. Reyes
- Birthday: Allan N. Garcia
- Wedding Anniversary: Joseph & Leslie Peralta
- Wedding Anniversary: Mr. & Mrs. Saturnino Lumboy
- In Memoriam (+): Narciso Yu, Sr.
- In Memoriam (+): Fr. Nestor Manlangit OFM
- In Memoriam (+): Paz Cabrera Bengzon
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

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!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only. Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends, colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
 
© 2012 Daily-Homily

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