Category: Homilies & Reflections
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Do you have the vaccine?
Read More: Do you have the vaccine?Psalm 70:1 (from the Psalter in the Book of Common Prayer) Be pleased, O God, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me. In the beginning, God wrote a love letter to mankind. Maybe you’re thinking, “What? What love letter? Is he talking about the Song of Solomon?” No, I’m not. In fact,…
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The servants’ parable
Read More: The servants’ parableProper 28, 15 November 2020 Today’s readings prepare us for the feast of Christ the King and the celebration of Christ’s Second Coming. For 2000 years the Church has been looking forward to the promised coming of Jesus. The question of the long delay can lead people to abandonment and disbelief of the promise, so…
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The call for wisdom
Read More: The call for wisdomProper 27, 8 November 2020 The theme of today’s Gospel is the Second Coming of Christ, in which He will judge humanity, the nations, and each of us. The parable is a wedding-feast: the bridegroom is coming but is late. This points to Christ: though we know assuredly He’s coming, the time is not in…
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The Feast of All Saints
Read More: The Feast of All Saints1 November 2020 The season of Ordinary Time is a celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, of which we are reminded every Sunday, that we should never forget. Beyond remembrance – “Do this in remembrance of Me” – we become a part and live by what Christ has done: His death and…
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You will not walk alone
Read More: You will not walk aloneDaniel 3:24-25 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are…
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The greatest Commandment
Read More: The greatest CommandmentProper 25, 25 October 2020 Today’s Old Testament reading reminds us that Moses didn’t enter the Promised Land. It may seem to have been a setback, but at the Transfiguration he was with Elijah in the vision. We encounter failures in this world, but they don’t take us away from God’s love. In today’s Gospel…
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Created in God’s image
Read More: Created in God’s imageProper 24, Sunday 18 October 2020 In today’s Gospel the religious leaders tried to trap Jesus to put Him in trouble with the Roman authorities: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” Jesus, perceiving the wickedness in their hearts, said, “Show Me a coin. What image do you see?” They answered, “Caesar’s” (the emperor’s). …
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His authority, or your own?
Read More: His authority, or your own?Matthew 28:18-20 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end…
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Let us live with gratitude in the story of the cross
Read More: Let us live with gratitude in the story of the crossProper 22, 4 October 2020 Children love stories. We read books, and now there is a multi-billion-dollar film industry to tell stories on the screen in a more sophisticated way. Children watch cartoons and animated films over and over again because they see themselves as part of the story. Today’s parable (Matthew 21:33-44) is an…
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Authority: the controversy of the ages
Read More: Authority: the controversy of the agesMatthew 21:23-27 (also Mark 11:27-33 and Luke 20:1-8) Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask…
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A Message from your Patriarch
My Dear Brothers in Christ, This is my first opportunity to write to all of you as the new Patriarch. I have no words to express how honored I feel that God has put me in this position to serve all of you and the ICCEC. My hope is that in the months to come,…
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Stewardship of your mc2
Welcome to The Word of God Speaks, a ministry of the ICCEC Diocese of Europe under Bishop Elmer Belmonte. We come together in these times to hear what God is saying to His people. You may have noticed the title for today’s message is somewhat unusual: Stewardship of your mc2. It all looks quite…
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THE ADVENT CANDLES?HOPE-PEACE-JOY-LOVE
HOPE-PEACE-JOY-LOVE By: Professor Ruel Pepa The joyful season of celebrations commemorating God’s act of salvation by sending His very own Son to this sinful world is fast approaching. Christmas carols are dominating the airwaves again and the traditional practice of decking our halls with Christmas ornaments have already begun. We have never been amiss of…