DAILY- HOMILY

JULY 25, 2009
FEAST, ST. JAMES, APOSTLE
SATURDAY 16TH WEEK ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I

2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-15
Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that
the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted
in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to
despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who
live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death
is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same
spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I
spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who
raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with
you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace
bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the
thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

MATTHEW 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and
did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her,
"What do you wish?" She answered him, "Command that these two sons of
mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your
Kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him,
"We can." He replied, "My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at
my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for
whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard this, they
became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and
said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and
the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not
be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be
your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your
slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many."

REFLECTION
As we listen to the Gospel reading today, one cannot but smile and
perhaps be a little exasperated at the same time. Jesus is about to
enter Jerusalem, anticipating his passion, death and resurrection. He
has just given his disciples a reality check about the kingdom which
is very different from what they had imagined. Jesus is about to
become a Suffering Servant Messiah and here comes the mother of James
and John with a selfish request. She asks Jesus if her sons can have
privileged seats in the kingdom that she believes that Jesus is about
to establish.

Jesus asks James and John if they can drink of the cup from which he
is about to drink. Can they withstand suffering for the sake of the
kingdom? When they answer in the affirmative, Jesus then emphasizes
that God's kingdom turns the world's values upside down.

James had such great faith in the message of Jesus, that he was the
first apostle to give his life for the sake of the kingdom. The Roman
governor beheaded him a few years after the death of Jesus. John's
martyrdom consisted in faithfully living and preaching the Good News
of Jesus amidst the hardships and persecutions of the early
Christians. He preached the Gospel of love and he died at a very old
age.

We are all called to follow Jesus, to drink of his cup and to follow
in his footsteps, even when it is difficult to do so. Honoring James
means honoring Jesus by putting aside our own selfish interests and
serving God and people, no matter what the cost.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the special intentions:
- Marlon Llamas
- Dapo family
- Net
- Veronica Yap
… for the strength and healing of:
- Benjamin Abarado
- Melba Dayata
- Cory Aquino
- Francis Torres
- Shiappee
- Ester Marcelo
- Richy Ozoa
- Timmy Mamonluk
- Arnold Cabatingan
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Marilyn Matti
- Birthday: Fr. Santiago Leon, S.J.
- Wedding Anniversary: Rodney & Kim Uy Yu
- In Memoriam (+): Eustaquia Go
… for the healing and peace of all families

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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