Category: Homilies & Reflections
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To the ends of the earth
Read More: To the ends of the earthPentecost, 31 May 2020 Acts 2:1-21 When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they didn’t know America or the Philippines existed; they only knew the world around them. Everyone believed the earth was flat, and if you sailed far enough you would fall off the end. That was how they understood…
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Why would anyone choose Jesus?
Read More: Why would anyone choose Jesus?Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that…
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Ascending to God’s throne
Read More: Ascending to God’s throneThe Ascension, 21 May 2020 Today is the Feast of the Ascension. Often it’s not given much importance, but it’s very closely linked with Resurrection. Imagine the roller coaster ride experienced by the disciples: during the Lord’s Crucifixion they were scattered and hid; at the Resurrection they were shocked and perplexed or confused, and even…
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Want to change the world? Let God change you
Read More: Want to change the world? Let God change youJohn 9:39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” The context of this statement is Jesus’ healing of a man born blind. This particular healing stirred up trouble because the Pharisees saw the healing as a…
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He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Read More: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most HighPsalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. “He who dwells” – what does it mean to dwell? The Hebrew word is yâshab, and it conveys the sense to settle, to continue, to endure, to remain. “secret place” – what is this place? The…
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Trusting Jesus in hard times
Read More: Trusting Jesus in hard timesEaster 5, 10 May 2020 John 14:1-14 The thief comes to steal and destroy (John 10:10). Satan, the adversary, is against you and against God’s plan in your life. He steals our peace and joy, and wants us to lose our trust in God and His Word. That’s the original temptation: you can’t trust God,…
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Why read the entire Bible: Bezalel and Aholiab
Read More: Why read the entire Bible: Bezalel and AholiabExodus 31:1-11 1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting…
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Finding Jesus
Read More: Finding JesusPatriarch Archbishop Craig Bates’ homily on the third Sunday in Easter , 26 April 2020 Luke 24:13-35 Today’s Gospel is one of the Resurrection appearances between Easter Sunday and Pentecost, a period of 50 days. This is very important, because it sets the foundation for other post-Resurrection appearances after Pentecost for the next 2000 years. It…
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As you did it to one of the least of these
Read More: As you did it to one of the least of theseMatthew 25:40 ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ – Jesus This Scripture is taken from a long passage – chapters 24 and 25 – in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus speaks of His second coming. It begins with…
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Encountering divine forgiveness
Read More: Encountering divine forgivenessPatriarch Archbishop Craig Bates’ homily on the Second Sunday in Easter 2, 19 April 2020 John 20:19-31 This time of confinement is difficult for many people, especially those in developing nations, the poorest of the poor, and many of you who need to return to work to support your families and extended families. It’s really…
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A Message from your Patriarch
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Stewardship of your mc2
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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…