Saturday, July 20, 2013

 

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

JULY 21, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI, PRIEST AND DOCTOR
16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

Gen 18:1-10 / Ps 15: 2-3. 3-4. 5 / Col 1:24-28 / Lk 10:38-42

READINGS
Genesis 18:1-10
Yahweh appeared to Abraham near the oak of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, in the heat of the day, when he looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them. He bowed to the ground and said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought. Wash your feet and then rest under the trees. I shall fetch some bread so that you can be refreshed and continue on your way, since you have come to your servant." They then said, "Do as you say." Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said to her, "Quick, take three measures of flour, knead it and make cakes." Abraham then ran to the herd, took a fine, tender calf, gave it to the servant who hurried to prepare it. He took butter and milk and together with the calf he had prepared laid it all before them. And while he remained standing, they ate. They then asked, "Where is Sarah, your wife?" Abraham answered, "She is in the tent." And the visitor said, "At this same time next year I will return and Sarah by then will have a son." Now Sarah was behind him, listen ing at the entrance to the tent.

Colossians 1:24-28
At present I rejoice when I suffer for you; I complete in my own flesh what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the Church. For I am serving the Church since God entrusted to me the ministry to make the word of God fully known. I mean that mysterious plan that for centuries and generations remained secret, and which God has now revealed to his holy ones. God willed to make known to them the riches and even the Glory that his mysterious plan reserved for the pagan nations: Christ is in you and you may hope God's Glory. This Christ we preach. We warn and teach everyone true wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect in Christ.

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he entered a village, and a woman called Martha welcomed him to her house. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord's feet to listen to his words. Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving, and finally she said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me!" But the Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her."

REFLECTION
We live in a very competitive world. To survive, we have to be more productive than others. We have to use as much of our time to produce results.

In our gospel today, Martha wants to be very productive. She exhausts her time and energy to serve Jesus who is their special guest. Surprisingly, however, Jesus tells Martha that Mary does the better thing. Mary does better not in being very active and productive but in simply being with Jesus to listen to him.

We are therefore invited to reflect in our lives whether we are really doing the better thing. We often judge what is better based on its monetary value or on the honor and prestige it can give us. We often fail to give importance to developing deeper relationships with God and with others. Indeed, there are times that it will be better for us simply to be with and to listen to other people. There are times when it will be better for us to rest and to re-charge than to be overly anxious about providing for our material needs. There are times when it will be better for us to be more reflective than to be productive.

Like Martha, many of us are anxious and troubled with so many things. But are we choosing what is better? Let us pray and listen to Jesus to discover what is better for us.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the personal intentions of Eric
… for the personal intentions of
- Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
- Anabelle Alves
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Severo Pacheco. Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Apollo U. Jimenez
- In Memoriam (+): Catalino Ngochua
… 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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SATURDAY 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YR I

JULY 20, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT APOLLINARIS
SATURDAY 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YR I

Ex 12:37-42 / Ps 136: 1 and 23-24. 10-12. 13-15 / Mt 12:14-21

READINGS
Exodus 12:37-42
The Israelites left Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thou- sand of them on the march, counting the men only, and not the children. A great number of other people of all descriptions went with them, as well as sheep and cattle in droves. With the dough they had brought with them from Egypt, they made cakes of unleavened bread. It had not risen, for when they were driven from Egypt they could not delay and had not even provided themselves with food. The Israelites had been in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. It was at the end of these four hundred and thirty years to the very day that the armies of Yahweh left Egypt. This is the watch for Yahweh who brought Israel out of Egypt. This night is for Yahweh, and all the Israelites are also to keep vigil on this night, year after year, for all time.

Matthew 12:14-21
Then the Pharisees went out, and made plans to get rid of Jesus. As Jesus was aware of their plans, he left that place. Many people followed him, and he cured all who were sick. Then he gave them strict orders not to make him known. In this way Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled: Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him and he will announce my judgment to the nations. He will not argue or shout, nor will his voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed he will not crush, nor snuff out the smoldering wick. He will persist until justice is made victorious, and in him all the nations will put their hope.

REFLECTION
Matthew wrote primarily for a Christian community where the majority were Jews. Therefore he quoted extensively from the Jewish scriptures which became the Old Testament of our Christian Bible. For today's gospel, we see Matthew quoting Isaiah's prophecy. The first reading, taken from Exodus, tells us about the circumstances concerning the departure of the Israelites from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. If we reflect upon this incident and our gospel scene above, we can see many common themes. So with these two stories serving as background for our reflection, we can briefly go through the preceding incidents prior to today's gospel reading. Then, we can better understand why the Pharisees decided to get rid of him. No wonder Jesus gave orders not to make him known publicly because what he did and taught was viewed as subversive by the authorities.

Similarly, we can see Moses leading his people away because they constitute further trouble to the Egyptian authorities. As we read in both the gospel account and the exodus account, we find that when Jesus and Moses left, many people followed them. However, we also know that not all of those who followed Jesus or Moses remained faithful to them. Now for us, what obstacles in our lives do we meet as we try to follow our Lord Jesus? Gentle as he is, he will not force us, but wants us to respond freely. Surely like the Israelites of Moses' time or the contemporaries of our Lord, we also experience many consolations and blessing. But when faced with severe trials, shall we give up because of fear like the friends and companions (apostles) of Jesus or even grumble like the Israelites in the desert? Or shall we persevere in faith and hope like Mary our Blessed Mother or Mary of Magdala?

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the personal intentions of Eric
… for the personal intentions of
- Carmel Joan
- Netta, Jo, Denise, Debbie, Gene L & Fr Larry
- Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
- Anabelle Alves
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Rowena Lacida Yap, Rodney Lacida, Gelic Red, Ernesto Apacible, Luding Grindulo, XJ Javier, Jess Garces
- Severo Pacheco
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Marlita Portes
- Birthday: Jaykie Ng
- In Memoriam (+): Eddie L. Uy (Aug 3, 1935 - Jul 20, 1990)
… 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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