grace, vocation, mission,
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CHRISTIAN VOCATION AND MISSION IS A GRACE: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: 11TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE A, 2023

The Christian vocation and mission is a life of grace in Christ Jesus and not something we merit. It is God’s work and we are only collaborators in its realization through his grace acting in us. God is the one who initiates, designs, invites and executes the mission through us. That is why it is called “Missio Dei”.

However, our Christian calling is complex and not easy at all. That is living the Christian vocation and realizing our God-given mission is a seemingly impossible task humanly. It is absolutely necessary to live and implore God’s grace and help.

corpus christi, presence, body and blood
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CORPUS CHRISTI: THE REAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST WITH US: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: THE SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI) CYCLE A, 2023

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi was intended to affirm Catholic belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Christ in the consecrated bread and wine at Mass. A firm belief in the Body and Blood of Christ and regular reception of the Blessed Sacrament or Holy Communion is fundamental to Catholic doctrine, spirituality and growth in holiness. It is our inheritance.

unity, diversity, holy spirit
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THE UNITY AND DIVERSITY OF GOD: CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, CYCLE A, 2023

The Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of our Christian faith that demonstrates to us the unity and diversity of god. It is a community of three distinct persons in personality, yet one in nature and glory.

The famous saying: “he who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god” by Aristotle does not apply to our Trinitarian God.

POWER, LOVE, HOLY SPIRIT
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THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: PENTECOST SUNDAY, CYCLE A, 2023

The power of the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son is not only the giver of life or the spirit of love.  It is an enormous power that propels the Christian life to completion. That is, in our Christ witness to the Risen Christ. It is a manifested power in the modus operandi of the Spirit.

He is the spirit of truth, love, unity, gifts, communication and organization. In the Spirit, all is perfectly harmonised for greater efficiency. The Holy Spirit is the motor, energy or power that brings to life the Christian life and testimony. Without the Holy Spirit, the Christian life is dead.

ascension, commission, promise
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THE GREAT COMMISSION AND PROMISE OF CHRIST: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, CYCLE A, 2023

The greatest commission and promise of Christ to all of us is: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The Feast of Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the beginning of the apostles witnessing the gospel.

ABIDING PRESENCE, HOLY SPIRIT, TRUTH
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THE INDWELLING PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A, 2023

The readings explain how the Holy Spirit is the precious gift of the Crucified and Resurrected Christ to us. He is the indwelling Spirit of God in us that leads, guides, illuminates, and sanctifies our being, existence, and Christian life and effort.

The principal purpose of these readings is to create awareness of the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in our Christian life or the Church. Indeed, for us to love genuinely and to keep rules and regulations faithfully are the two most difficult things in the world.

abiding presence, conflicit, unity
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UNITY THROUGH THE PRESENCE OF THE ABIDING CHRIST WITH US: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: 5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A, 2023

In life, so many things troubled us and make life uncomfortable for us, yet the abiding presence of Christ strengthens us on our journey through life. It is our faith in God and Christ that makes us go through daily life situations with a sense of tranquillity and peace.

good shepherd, love, care
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CHRIST: THE GOOD SHEPHERD LOVES AND CARES FOR US: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: THE GOOD SHEPHERD, CYCLE A, 2023

The celebration of Christ as the Good Shepherd assures of an empathic Lord and Saviour who loves and cares about us. There is no more beautiful and consoling theme or readings for our current condition and situation of life than the theme of Risen Christ as our Good Shepherd. He is not only the Lord and Saviour of our life, hearts, soul, and body.

He is the Good Shepherd who laid his life down for us, but he also leads and guides us to healthy, ever-greener pastures and living running water and protects us from all harm, evil, and danger.  Good Shepherd provides guides, leads, protects, cares and blesses our lives, our souls and our daily efforts.

faith, life, journey,
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OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH AMONG THE SADNESS AND DISAPPOINTMENT OF LIFE: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A, 2023

The road to Emmaus is our journey of faith amidst the sadness and disappointment of life. A lot of a journey through with a heavy burden of emotional luggage. They weigh and deprive us of life’s joy, happiness and peace. Hence, many of us go through life in a very miserable way carrying the endless burden of pain, shame, guilt and cares.

The disciples’ journey to Emmaus amid apparent hopelessness is also our journey of faith in the mysteries of Christ, especially his resurrection. Often in life, we travel with a deep sense of grief, sadness, and disappointment over things that have happened to us.

divine mercy
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THE INEXHAUSTIBLE MERCY OF GOD: CATHOLIC SUNDAY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, CYCLE A, 2023

Divine Mercy! It is the inexhaustible mercy of God manifest upon all for us through the Risen Christ. Actually, this is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the Risen Christ and offers to humanity. The devotion to Divine Mercy Sunday grew rapidly after its designation by Pope Saint John Paul II.

Every second Sunday of Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday. We contemplate God’s mercy that brings us to the season of Easter Joy. As well as, the invitation to live out the communitarian mission of God´s mercy in the corporals and spiritual works of mercy.