Category: Homilies & Reflections
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Easter Sunday (by Abp. Craig Bates)
Read More: Easter Sunday (by Abp. Craig Bates)Patriarch Archbishop Craig Bates’ homily on Easter Sunday, 12 April 2020 I admire those all around the world who are broadcasting masses and prayers regularly; and I hope all the clergy around the world realise what a great opportunity we have to evangelise. We can invite our family and friends to watch online and see…
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Christ’s example of loving service
Read More: Christ’s example of loving serviceMaundy Thursday, 9 April 2020 Today we enter the Paschal Triduum, or Great Three Days, the most holy, solemn days in the Christian liturgical calendar. If we open our hearts and let the Liturgy, actions and words sink into our hearts, it can be life-transforming. Beginning on Maundy Thursday, Jesus enters into the final conflict with darkness…
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The cross of Christ and God’s gift of healing
Read More: The cross of Christ and God’s gift of healing8 April 2020 After Jesus had cleansed the temple, in Matthew’s version there is an addition that is not in the other Gospels: “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” (Matthew 21:14). After the house was cleansed and became a house of prayer, it then became a house…
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Holy Week: our victory and hope
Read More: Holy Week: our victory and hopeBp. Elmer’s homily on Palm Sunday, 5 April 2020 The Church around the world enters into the holiest week of all. “Holy” means consecrated for the purpose of contemplating the acts of our Lord in His final days on earth. In His final days, His every step was carefully taken, leading to suffering then to…
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Listening to God in a time of crisis
Read More: Listening to God in a time of crisisBp. Elmer’s homily on the 4th Sunday in Lent, transcribed by Deacon Andrew Gossage 22 March 2020 In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth. During that time, blindness and other conditions were attributed to sinfulness; this prompted the disciples to ask who sinned – him or his parents. Our Lord…
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Pray without Ceasing
Read More: Pray without Ceasing1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “Rejoice always.” Hmm, kinda tough but I’m willing to do my best. “In everything give thanks.” Another tough one, but not as bad as rejoicing all the time. “Pray without ceasing.”…
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Repentance is not Humiliation
Read More: Repentance is not HumiliationBp. Elmer’s homily on Ash Wednesday, transcibed by Deaon Andrew Gossage 26 February 2020 As we enter the holy season of Lent, I remember that when I was young I thought the point of fasting was to give up meat or something you really like. I’ve come to understand that I need my love to…
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Be cautious but NOT FEARFUL
Read More: Be cautious but NOT FEARFULBp. Elmer’s homily on the 1st Sunday inLent, transcribed by Deacon Andrew Gossage 1 March 2020 Whilst we are concerned about the virus, let us be reminded of God’s protection. We can be cautious, but we have no reason to fear. The Black Death in the 14th century may have killed as many as 200…
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Are you salt and light?
Read More: Are you salt and light?11 February 2020 Matthew 5:13-20 13 ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot…
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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…