DAILY- HOMILY

September 7, 2013
Memorial, St. Melchior Grodziecki, St. Stephan Pongracz, priests; Mark Krizevcanin, canon of Estergom, martyrs
Saturday 22nd Week in Ordinary Time – Year I
Col 1:21-23 / Ps 54: 3-4. 6 and 8 / Lk 6:1-5
 

READINGS
Colossians 1:21-23

You yourselves were once estranged and opposed to God because of your evil deeds, but now God has reconciled you in the human body of his Son through his death, so that you may be without fault, holy and blameless before him. Only stand firm, upon the foundation of your faith, and be steadfast in hope. Keep in mind the Gospel you have heard, which has been preached to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the corn fields, and his disciples began to pick heads of grain, crushing them in their hands for food. Some of the Pharisees asked them, "Why do you do what is forbidden on the Sabbath?" Then Jesus spoke up and asked them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his men were hungry? He entered the house of God, took and ate the bread of the offering, and even gave some to his men, though only priests are allowed to eat that bread." And Jesus added, "The Son of Man is Lord and rules over the sabbath."

Reflection
Dishonoring the Sabbath had been controversial even in the Old Testament. Bible analysts did deep analyses on every phrase of the above passage. This story is also recounted in the gospels of Matthew and Mark.

Jesus emphasizes that the needs of man take precedence over ritualistic custom and tradition. Jesus wants to correct the situation that man has become the servant of the object which is the Sabbath law or any liturgical procedure for that matter. Instead of love for humans, as is the intent of God, tradition has, by itself, become the priority issue of religion which is difficult and demanding and has thus become a burden to its people.

Jesus clarifies that unavoidable chores are allowed on the Sabbath as long as these are done to serve, honor and glorify the Lord God.

Some bible scholars are awed and overwhelmed over the claim of Jesus as the Master and Ruler over the Sabbath which, after all, was considered divinely instituted. Is this the one rare occasion that he claims to be the Son of God?

When Jesus cited the action of David, he was quoting an Old Testament account. Jesus indeed had an intense participation in community life during his time. Such level of knowledge was what amazed and ultimately angered the Pharisees and the rest.

To recap, the purpose of the Sabbath was to give mankind an occasion for rest, reflection and rejoicing in God, in one another and in mankind. Jesus showed how the Sabbath was kept and how the Sabbath should strengthen people's faith and be reflected in their good deeds.

Prayer Requests

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
Ditas dela Paz, Toots Monfort, Virginia Hernandez, and Fleur Torres
Denise, Debbie (AZ), Benny, Herb, Nick (MD, Ed, Bob M, & Randy Joy Droke
… for the personal intentions of Ben, Nancy, Netta, Rita, Mary Ann M, Mrs D & Fr Larry Isdore
Veronica Yap
… In Memoriam (+): Bernardo Santiago Jr.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
Birthday: Edelinda Tined
Birthday: Michael T. Reyes
Wedding Anniversary: Manny & Milett Narciso
Wedding Anniversary: Desiree & Teodoro F. del Rosario III
… 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!
 

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