tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25163541422208584582024-03-13T04:31:38.337-07:00Deacon Ted Schreck's Homilies and other reflectionstedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-56412163795011145882018-01-15T19:27:00.001-08:002018-01-15T19:27:20.068-08:00Unconditional Love - Return of the Prodigal Son (originally posted on personal blog - 2/20/2009)<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the book by Fr. Henri Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son. Yes, this is from the parable of Jesus, but also, his interpretation of the painting by Rembrandt. I have seen a mural of this same painting in a confessional at a Catholic church in the Memphis area. What a wonderful visual to come to understand the Father's (God's) unconditional love for each of us!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AJcz9iXhiI/Wl1wYDerR5I/AAAAAAAACS4/GwS4PJ1uy-Is75tVWlQ63LqimICAJuJoACLcBGAs/s1600/Nouwen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="116" height="237" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5AJcz9iXhiI/Wl1wYDerR5I/AAAAAAAACS4/GwS4PJ1uy-Is75tVWlQ63LqimICAJuJoACLcBGAs/s320/Nouwen.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that I have moved beyond the time of being the Prodigal Son. The time of running carefree and swandering riches and being consumed by material things. I feel that I am now somewhat like the Elder Son. He felt that he was serving his "father", but couldn't understand why he "suffered" while others (his prodigal brother) received a fatted calf and a ring on his finger when he returned. The elder son is a time of being concerned for others, but often we become jealous of others who receive blessings even though they do not seem worthy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">May the day come soon when I can honestly live with the unconditional love as modeled by Christ. It seems that the Father's unconditional love (that which comes without strings attached or expectations) comes to most when they are older. To emulate Christ is a worthy goal since he told us that he would lead us to the Father. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When you look at Rembrandt's painting, do you pity the prodigal son, do you think that he is undeserving, do you rejoice that he has returned? With God's love, may we remember that His love is beyond measure. Just because my neighbor (whether friend or foe) has received many blessings, does not mean that God will not give me blessings as well. His love is not a competition. As mentioned in another blog, Christ is knocking at the door to my heart to offer me His unconditional love, may I not only open that door and welcome Him in, but also, may I offer others this same love. Peace!</span>tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-5358135706798989372017-11-13T20:17:00.001-08:002017-11-13T20:21:10.605-08:00Homily - Eng/Span - 17th Sun of Ord Time - Yr C - Persistence in Prayers of Intercession<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Homily 20160724 17<sup>th</sup>
Sunday of Ordinary Time<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think back with me. Some of you may recall the old comic strip ad
for Charles Atlas. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XO3BnQGW_M/WgpvI5kZPAI/AAAAAAAACHE/sZKxD_KUS3US7AljAKfawv1C-ARGlWb5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Sand%2Bin%2Bface.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="112" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XO3BnQGW_M/WgpvI5kZPAI/AAAAAAAACHE/sZKxD_KUS3US7AljAKfawv1C-ARGlWb5ACLcBGAs/s320/Sand%2Bin%2Bface.JPG" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For those who are unfamiliar with
Charles Atlas, it was a comic strip showing a skinny guy sitting on the beach
next to a beautiful girl and he gets sand kicked in his face by a bully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the next scene, we see Charles
Atlas, but he’s no longer the skinny guy.
He is now buff with huge muscles.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having shared this comic strip, let’s
take a closer look at what’s going on with Abraham and the Lord, and with Jesus
and His Apostles in today’s scripture passages.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reflecting on that old comic strip ad
for the Charles Atlas fitness program to build muscle, I think of all the times
when I and others made New Years’ resolutions, for example, working out and
even put down those dreaded down payments on gym memberships. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What happens to these resolutions by
let’s say April? We might go to the gym once
or twice and then we come up with all the reasons why we don’t have time to go
to the gym. And, before you know it, the
commitment to the goal of getting in shape is gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have a good intention, but the
persistence slips away. And so, I get NO
GAIN, because I don’t even get close to the point of saying NO PAIN. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Abraham was persistent with the Lord
and might even have appeared irreverent with the Lord in his continuous
questioning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, why is Abraham interested in the
fate of Sodom? Maybe, it has something
to do with the fact that his nephew Lot went to live near Sodom and was captured
by the inhabitants. It would be easy to
dismiss this community for its obvious sinfulness. I’m sure we each could think of specific
communities, nations, groups (that if we’re being honest with ourselves), we
might be tempted to say, they deserve whatever comes to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But Abraham shows that persistent
prayer on behalf of this community can move God’s heart. Abraham can clearly sense that Sodom’s people
are in trouble with the Lord and he wants to call upon God’s mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, he asks that if 50 people are
innocent, will God be moved to save the whole community. And, he hears “yes”. But, Abraham knows that he better make sure
he has a better hand in this card game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, he goes further and asks “what
about 45, then 40, then 30, amazingly then he proceeds to 20, and finally he
asks if only 10 are innocent, will the Lord forego the destruction?”, and each
time, he gains a positive response, “yes, I will save the whole community for
even the smallest number of innocent”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Abraham’s <b>persistence</b> makes me think about the times when one of my children
wanted a Barbie Doll or a video game, and they never grew tired of asking for
what they wanted. I got frustrated after
a while, but guess what? The child got
the toy they wanted through <b>persistence</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Abraham desired to save Sodom and we
know that God heard the cries of His faithful servant Abraham. His <b>persistence</b>
on behalf of these people gained God’s mercy.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And in Luke’s Gospel, we get a
different slant on the Lord’s Prayer, even referring not to “Our Father”, but
to the familiar “Father”. Luke teaches
us about the importance of <b>persistence</b>
and the efficacy of prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here, God is the one who sustains us
each and EVERY day, forgives us our sinfulness and keeps us from the “final
test”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, does our prayer move God to change
His mind? Or is the person offering the
prayer disposed to accept whatever God’s will turns out to be? It would be bold to think that we change
God’s mind, but Jesus clearly tells us to pray intently and consistently. He even goes on beyond the Lord’s Prayer with
another of his wonderful parables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First, there is the neighbor who
comes over in the middle of the night asking for 3 loaves of bread. Do I turn away my neighbor due to the
inconvenience and the apparent discourtesy bothering us in the middle of the night? The parable says that I might not give the
neighbor the loaves because of their friendship, but I surely will due to his
persistent request. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And then, we have the memorable words
of Jesus, “knock and the door will be opened to you”. Jesus encourages us to approach the Father
with <b>persistence</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recall another image of Jesus where
he is knocking at the door with no door knob on the outside. Jesus <b>will
not</b> force himself upon us, but He encourages us to open that door. Here, Jesus invites each of us to approach
the Father and the Father will hear our request and engage that request. Our Father wants to shower us with His tender
love and mercy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think of the image that Jesus goes on
to share in the parable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can you remember when you held your
small child and knew that you would do anything and everything for that dear
baby? Or when you met your true love and
you would do anything to make him or her happy?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What does Jesus say in how to compare
our love for our child with God’s love? <b>God’s love is beyond comparison!</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what might we take from these
stories of <b>persistence</b> from the Book
of Genesis and Luke’s Gospel? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike when I give up on my New
Years’ resolution to work out at the gym or any other grand promise, my
persistent prayer can make a real difference!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You and I will give our all to what
we truly want and we won’t give up until we get it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what in your life or in our world
needs your persistent prayer? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Does a fallen away son or daughter or
spouse need your persistent prayer? Or,
have you decided that you can’t make a difference in the long-standing fighting
in Africa or the Middle East or in the racial and ethnic battles that we are
experiencing in our nation and world today?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe that I’m no different than
most by falling into despair from time to time - wondering how anything can
change in our world. What, especially with
so much violence and terrorism! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How can I make a difference? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our Scriptures today speak to
this. Abraham was willing to be zealous
in his pursuit of mercy for the sinful community of Sodom. Jesus encourages us to pray with
perseverance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You and I can make a difference!</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We know that life can
be tough and sometimes it feels like the sinfulness and evil cannot be
overcome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, why do we come to this Church
each Sunday? Because we trust that God
is truth and His promises are true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why do others stay away from Church
each Sunday? Maybe, because the world or
even we have given them the impression that it’s not all true and that God
can’t be trusted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s not give into political
pressure or social media to hate others or grow impatient. We, my brothers and sisters, will make a
difference for those close to us and for those we do not know or even do not
like. We do this by offering our
persistent prayers of intercession for them.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, isn’t it comforting to knowing
that others are offering persistent prayers for you, your family, your friends
and our community?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">*************************************************************</span></div>
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<b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Homilía 17 de 20160724<sup>XX</sup> Domingo del tiempo
ordinario</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Recuerden conmigo.
Algunos de ustedes recordarán el viejo anuncio de tira cómica de Charles Atlas.
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Para aquellos que
no están familiarizados con Charles Atlas, fue una tira cómica que muestra un
chico flaco sentado en la playa junto a una hermosa muchacha y él consigue
arena patadas en su cara por un matón. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">En la siguiente
escena, vemos a Charles Atlas, pero ya no es el chico flaco. Ahora es fuerte
con enormes músculos. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Después de haber
compartido esta tira cómica, vamos a echar un vistazo a lo que está sucediendo
con Abraham y el Señor y con Jesús y sus Apóstoles en pasajes de la escritura
de hoy. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Reflexionando
sobre ese viejo anuncio de tira cómica para </span><span style="background: white; color: #585858; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">la programa de acondicionamiento físico</span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> de Charles Atlas
construir músculo, creo que de todos los tiempos cuando yo y otros hacemos resoluciones
del Año Nuevo, <b><pause></b> por
ejemplo, perder peso e ir al gimnasio y esos pagos temidos en membresías de
gimnasio. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Qué sucede con
estas resoluciones por vamos a decir en Marzo o Abril? Podemos ir al gimnasio una o dos veces y luego
nos vienen con todas las razones por qué no tenemos tiempo para ir al gimnasio.
Y, sin darte cuenta, el compromiso con el objetivo de obtener en forma se ha
ido. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tenemos una buena
intención, pero la <b>persistencia</b> se
desliza lejos. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Abraham fue <b>persistente</b> con el Señor y puede
incluso parecer irreverente con el Señor en su continuo cuestionamiento. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Así, ¿por qué está
interesado en la suerte de Sodoma Abraham? Tal vez, tiene algo que ver con el
hecho de que su sobrino Lot fue a vivir cerca de Sodoma y fue capturado por los
habitantes. Sería fácil despedir a esta comunidad por su pecado obvio. Estoy seguro
de que cada uno de nosotros podríamos pensar en determinadas comunidades, naciones,
grupos (eso si estamos siendo honestos con nosotros mismos), podríamos estar
tentados a decir, que se merecen todo lo que viene a ellos. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pero Abraham
muestra que <b>persistente</b> oración en
nombre de esta comunidad puede mover el corazón de Dios. Abraham puede percibir
claramente que las personas de Sodoma están en problemas con el Señor y quiere
hacer un llamamiento a la misericordia de Dios. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Por lo tanto, le
pide que si 50 personas son inocentes, Dios se moverá para salvar a toda la
comunidad. Y él oye "sí". Pero Abraham sabe mejor asegúrese de que
tiene una mano mejor en este juego de cartas. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Así, él va más
allá y le pregunta "¿Qué hay de 45, luego 40, luego 30, asombrosamente
entonces procede a 20, y finalmente pregunta si solamente 10 son inocentes, el
Señor renunciará la destrucción?", y cada vez obtiene una respuesta
positiva, "sí, voy a guardar toda la comunidad para incluso el más pequeño
número de inocentes". </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">De Abraham <b>persistencia</b>
me hace pensar en los tiempos cuando uno de mis hijos quería una Barbie Doll o
un videojuego, y nunca se cansó de pedir lo que querían. ¿Llegué frustrado
después de un tiempo, pero adivinen que? El niño consiguió el juguete que
querían a través de la <b>persistencia</b></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Abraham deseaba
salvar Sodoma y sabemos que Dios oye el clamor de su siervo fiel Abraham. Su <b>persistencia</b>
en nombre de esas personas obtuvo la misericordia de Dios. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Y en el Evangelio
de Lucas, tenemos un sesgo diferente en la oración del Señor, incluso
refiriéndose no a "Padre nuestro", sino al familiar "Padre".
Lucas nos enseña acerca de la importancia de la <b>persistencia</b> y la
eficacia de la oración. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Aquí, Dios es
quien nos sostiene cada día, nos perdona nuestros pecados y nos impide la
"prueba final". </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Por lo tanto,
nuestra oración mueve Dios a cambiar su mente? ¿O es la persona que ofrece la
oración dispuesta a aceptar cualquiera que sea la voluntad de Dios resulta para
ser? Sería atrevido pensar que cambiamos la mente de Dios, pero Jesús
claramente nos dice que orar intensamente y consistente. Incluso va más allá de
la oración del Señor con otra de sus maravillosas parábolas. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">En primer lugar,
es el vecino que viene a tocar la puerta en medio de la noche pidiendo 3 barras
de pan. ¿Activo a mi vecino por las molestias y la descortesía aparente
molestarnos en medio de la noche? La parábola dice que podría no doy al vecino
los panes debido a su amistad, pero seguramente será debido a su petición <b>persistente</b>. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Y entonces,
tenemos las palabras memorables de Jesús, "llamad y la puerta se abrirá a
usted". Jesús nos anima a acercarnos al padre con <b>persistencia</b></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Recordar otra
imagen de Jesús donde él está llamando a la puerta sin pomo de la puerta en el
exterior. Jesús <b>no</b> fuerza a sí mismo sobre nosotros, pero nos anima a
abrir esa puerta. Aquí, Jesús invita a cada uno de nosotros al Padre y el Padre
escuchará nuestra solicitud y realizar esa solicitud. Padre nuestro quiere
inundarnos con su tierno amor y misericordia. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Te invito a pensar
en la imagen que Jesús va a compartir en la parábola. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Te acuerdas
cuando se llevó a cabo a su pequeño hijo y sabía que harías cualquier cosa y
todo para que el bebé querido? ¿O cuando conociste a tu amor verdadero y haría
cualquier cosa para hacerle feliz?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Qué dice Jesús
acerca de cómo comparar nuestro amor por nuestro hijo con el amor de Dios? <b>Amor
de Dios está más allá de comparación!</b></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Así que, ¿qué
podríamos tomar de estas historias de <b>persistencia</b> del Evangelio el
libro de Génesis y de Lucas? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A diferencia de
cuando me doy por vencido en la resolución de mi Año Nuevo para hacer ejercicio
en el gimnasio o cualquier otra gran promesa, <b>mi oración persistente</b> puede hacer una gran diferencia!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Usted y yo haré
todo a lo que realmente queremos y no damos hasta que lo consigamos!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Por lo tanto, lo
que en su vida o en nuestro mundo necesita tu oración <b>persistente</b>? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Hace una caída a
hijo o hija o cónyuge necesita tu oración persistente? <b><change tone></b> ¿O, han
decidido que no pueden hacer una diferencia en la lucha larga en África o el
Medio Oriente o en las batallas raciales y étnicas que estamos experimentando
en nuestra nación y el mundo hoy? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><personal statement></span></b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Creo que no es diferente que la mayoría de
caer en la desesperación de vez en cuando - se pregunta cómo algo puede cambiar
en nuestro mundo. Lo que, sobre todo con tanta violencia y el terrorismo. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Cómo puedo hacer
una diferencia? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Nuestras
escrituras hablan hoy en día a esto. Abraham estaba dispuesto a ser celoso en
su búsqueda de la misericordia para la comunidad pecaminosa de Sodoma. Jesús
nos anima a orar con <b>perseverancia</b>. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tu y yo podemos
hacer la diferencia!</span></b><b><span lang="ES"> </span></b><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sabemos que la vida puede ser dura y a veces se siente
como el pecado y maldad no puede ser superada.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pero, ¿por qué
venga a esta iglesia cada domingo? Porque confiamos en que Dios es verdad y sus
promesas son verdaderas. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">¿Por qué otros
permanecer lejos de iglesia cada domingo? Tal vez, porque el mundo o incluso
que les hemos dado la impresión de que no es cierto y que puede confiar en
Dios. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">No demos en
presión política o los medios sociales a odiar a otros o impacientarse.
Nosotros, mis hermanos y hermanas, hará una diferencia para aquellos cerca de
nosotros y para aquellos que no conocen o incluso no les gusta. Hacemos esto al
ofrecer nuestras oraciones persistentes de intercesión por ellos. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: ES; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Y, ¿no es
reconfortante saber que otros están ofreciendo oraciones <u>persistentes</u>
para ti, tu familia, tus amigos y nuestra comunidad?</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-78064286807786845492017-11-13T20:11:00.002-08:002017-11-13T20:25:09.421-08:00Homily - Eng/Span - 12th Sun of Ord Time - Yr A - 20160619 - Who do you say that I am?<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who do
you say that I am?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waF7VY_n4cY/WgpwEUo8YXI/AAAAAAAACHM/OrMxlDveA6M44BefL1Os3AfWEUVmfsZ0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Who%2Bdo%2Byou%2Bsay%2Bthat%2BI%2Bam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waF7VY_n4cY/WgpwEUo8YXI/AAAAAAAACHM/OrMxlDveA6M44BefL1Os3AfWEUVmfsZ0ACLcBGAs/s320/Who%2Bdo%2Byou%2Bsay%2Bthat%2BI%2Bam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It's not
the black jack tables in Tunica, but Jesus has raised the stakes with his
disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He has
just recently performed the miracle in multiplying the fishes and loaves to
feed the 5000 and now he is debriefing his inner circle asking them who the
crowd says that he is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now,
they've known him as friend, neighbor, master, teacher, the carpenter’s son,
but now he raises the stakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They tell
him that some say he is his cousin John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and
still others one of the prophets of old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And these
are all amazing people and understandable titles for him, but they are now to
acknowledge him for who he is beyond all else, the Christ of God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke uses
the title Christ which is Greek for the Anointed One. It is in the same
vein as the Hebrew word Messiah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter
declares that Jesus is the One who the Chosen People have been waiting for for
so long. He tells them not to reveal this identity just yet; it's not
time for the world to know fully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, then
he makes the 1st prediction of his Passion. Jesus has used many parables
up to this point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He even
explained to them that he uses the stories because the people, the crowds,
cannot yet comprehend his message without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, Jesus
has been with his disciples for a while now and he has been teaching them
through his words, his stories, his life of prayer and his actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, the
stakes are being raised. He is upping the ante. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With all
their experiences, do they realize that he is the fulfillment of the prophecies
of old?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
crowds speak what they understand at this point, but Jesus calls his inner
circle to a deeper understanding, and thus a deeper relationship with
himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
disciples of his need to be prepared for what is to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And,
Jesus wants them to understand more fully what the implication is for their
lives in choosing to say “yes, my Lord” to his call to follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">True,
they've given up family and their careers to follow him, but the stakes are
about to be raised. They will watch as he “goes all in” offering his very
life for all of humanity. And, he calls them to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, where
does Peter come up with the wisdom to declare “ you are the Christ of
God”? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You and I
know that Peter did not have a PhD in theology, right? Peter had a
personal relationship with Jesus and he was being guided by the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, what
about you and me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you
asked your close friends, “Who do people say that I am”?, what would you hear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe,
accountant, teacher, lawyer, friend, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, soccer player,
Saints fan, or college student!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, like
Jesus, these titles would be accurate, but do they get to the core of who you
are? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe, I
should start with another question? “Who am I?” Or “Whose am I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I
accept Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the anointed one of God, the Christ,
then I look to my own true identity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I was
preparing for my ordination, I met with my spiritual adviser pretty
regularly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And not
too long ago, we had a discussion on who will Deacon Ted be. I mention
this because I think we got to the core of who I am and who we all are before
all else ...Baptized children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">28.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, let
me raise the stakes for a moment! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">29.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I am a
child of God, what does that mean? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">30.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well,
according to our Lord’s words, I must take up my cross DAILY! And, we
do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">31.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We live
this life one day at a time. And many days, for many of us, each day can
be tough and almost unbearable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">32.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, if I
seek to become part of Jesus’ inner circle, then I will seek a relationship
with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">33.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will
seek out help to better understand his message in Scripture, I will seek his
mercy, and I WILL PRAY. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">34.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our
gospel reading began with Jesus going out alone with his disciples to
pray. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">35.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, in
Luke’s gospel, Jesus is seen in prayer to his Father on many occasions.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">--- Prayer at his baptism (3:21)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">--- All night prayer on a mountainside before
choosing the apostles (6:12)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">--- Prayer on the mountain prior to his
transfiguration. (8:28-29)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">--- Jesus' praying on one occasion, triggering
the disciples to ask how to pray, and Jesus' teaching of "The Lord's
Prayer" (11:1ff)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">--- Prayer for Peter, that his faith may not
fail (22:32)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">--- Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, while
sweating drops of blood. (22:40-46)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">36.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why does
Jesus go to pray so much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">37.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He loves
his Father and desires to do his will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">38.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, how
do we pray? Maybe, it's as simple as “Jesus be merciful to me a sinner,
Or, maybe we pray the words he taught us</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">OUR FATHER...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">39.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I'll end with a brief reflection borrowed from
a devotional commentary on Luke’s gospel about how we approach prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">40.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Prayer
can be like going to a friend’s wedding. I we only think of the traffic
we will encounter along the way, we’ll find it hard to get into the car.
But if we consider the wonderful celebration and the banquet awaiting us, we
gladly fight the traffic. It will worth it to us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. ¿quién dicen que soy yo?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. No son las mesas de black jack en Tunica, pero
Jesús ha subido las apuestas con sus discípulos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Se ha presentado recientemente el milagro de la
multiplicación de los peces y los panes para alimentar a los 5000 y ahora está
preguntado a su círculo más cercano pidiéndoles que dice la gente dice quien es
el.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. Ahora, lo han conocido como amigo, vecino,
maestro, profesor, el hijo del carpintero, pero ahora aumentan las
expectativas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5. Le dicen que algunos dicen que es su primo Juan
el Bautista, otros que Elías, y otros uno de los profetas de la antigüedad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6. Y estas son todas personas increíbles y títulos
comprensibles para él, pero que ahora están a reconocerlo por lo que es más
allá de todo lo demás, el Cristo de Dios!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Lucas utiliza el título de Cristo, que en griego
significa el Ungido. Es en el mismo sentido que la palabra hebrea Mesías.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8. Pedro declara que Jesús es el que el pueblo
elegido han estado esperando durante tanto tiempo. Él les dice que no revelará
esta identidad por el momento; no es el momento para que el mundo conozca
plenamente.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9. Pero, a continuación, se hace la primera
predicción de la pasión. Jesús ha utilizado muchas parábolas hasta este punto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10. Incluso se les explicó que él utiliza las
historias porque la gente, las multitudes, sin embargo, no pueden comprender su
mensaje sin ellos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">11. Por lo tanto, Jesús ha estado con sus discípulos
por un tiempo, y que ha sido la enseñanza de ellos a través de sus palabras,
sus historias, su vida de oración y sus acciones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">12. Ahora, están siendo subido las apuestas. Él está
subiendo la apuesta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">13. Con todas sus experiencias, no se dan cuenta de
que él es el cumplimiento de las profecías de la antigüedad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">14. Las multitudes parecen ser lo que entienden en
este punto, pero Jesús llama a su círculo más cercano a una comprensión más
profunda, y por lo tanto una relación más profunda con él mismo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">15. Estos discípulos necesitan estar preparados para
lo que está por venir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">16. Y, Jesús quiere que entiendan mejor lo que es la
implicación de sus vidas en la elección de decir "sí, señor" a su
llamada a seguirlo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">17. Es cierto que he renunciado a la familia y sus
carreras a seguirlo, pero las apuestas están a punto de ser levantada. Ellos
verán como él "entrega completamente" su vida por toda la humanidad.
Y, los llama a hacer lo mismo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18. Por lo tanto, ¿de dónde viene Pedro con la
sabiduría para declarar "tu eres el Cristo de Dios"?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">19. Usted y yo sabemos que Pedro no tiene un
doctorado en teología, ¿verdad? Pedro tenía una relación personal con Jesús y
que estaba siendo guiado por el Espíritu Santo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">20. Por lo tanto, ¿qué pasa con usted y yo?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">21. Si se le pide a sus amigos cercanos,
"¿Quién dice la gente que soy" ?, ¿Cómo sería?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">22. Tal vez, contable, profesor, abogado, amigo,
mamá, papá, abuela, abuelo, jugador de fútbol, aficionado al Santos, o
estudiante universitario!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">23. Y, como Jesús, estos títulos serían exactos,
pero es lo que llegar a la esencia de lo que eres?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">24. Tal vez, que debería empezar con otra pregunta?
"¿Quién soy yo?" O "¿De quién soy yo?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">25. Si acepto la declaración de Pedro de que Jesús
es el ungido de Dios, el Cristo, entonces miro a mi propia identidad verdadera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">26. Por lo que me estaba preparando para mi
ordenación, me encontré con mi consejero espiritual con bastante regularidad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">27. Y no hace mucho tiempo, tuvimos una discusión
sobre quién va a ser Diacono Ted. Lo menciono porque creo que llegamos a la
esencia de lo que soy y lo que todos somos hijos antes de todo ... de Dios
bautizado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">28. Por lo tanto, permítanme plantear las apuestas por
un momento!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">29. Si yo soy un hijo de Dios, ¿qué significa eso?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">30. Pues bien, de acuerdo con las palabras del
Señor, tengo que tomar mi cruz cada día! Y, lo hacemos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">31. Vivimos esta vida un día a la vez. Y muchos
días, para muchos de nosotros, cada día puede ser difícil y casi insoportable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">32. Pero, si busco a formar parte del círculo íntimo
de Jesús, entonces voy a buscar una relación con él.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">33. Voy a buscar ayuda para entender mejor su
mensaje en la Escritura, voy a buscar a su merced, pero oraré.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">34. Nuestra lectura del Evangelio comenzó con Jesús
de salir a solas con sus discípulos a orar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">35. Y, en el Evangelio de Lucas, Jesús se ve en la
oración a su Padre en muchas ocasiones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- La oración en su bautismo (3:21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- Todos oración de la noche en una ladera de la
montaña antes de elegir los apóstoles (6:12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- La oración en la montaña antes de su
transfiguración. (8: 28-29)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- Oración de Jesús en una ocasión, lo que provocó
los discípulos a preguntar cómo orar, y las enseñanzas de Jesús de "La
Oración del Señor" (11: 1 ss)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- Oración por Pedro, para que su fe no desfallezca
(22:32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">--- La oración en el huerto de Getsemaní, mientras
que la sudoración gotas de sangre. (22: 40-46)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">36. ¿Por qué ir a rezar tanto?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">37. Ama a su padre y desea hacer su voluntad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">38. Entonces, ¿qué oramos? Tal vez, es tan simple
como "Jesús, sé propicio a mí, pecador, O, tal vez oramos las palabras que
nos enseñó<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PADRE
NUESTRO, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">que
estás en el cielo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Santificado
sea tu nombre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Venga
tu reino.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hágase
tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Danos
hoy nuestro pan de cada día.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perdona
nuestras ofensas,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">como
también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No
nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">39.
Voy a terminar con una breve reflexión tomado de un comentario devocional en el
Evangelio de Lucas acerca de cómo nos acercamos a la oración:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">40. "La oración puede ser como ir a la boda de
un amigo. Sólo pensamos en el tráfico nos vamos a encontrar en el camino, vamos
a encontrar que era difícil obtener en el coche. Pero si tenemos en cuenta la
maravillosa celebración y el banquete que nos espera, estaremos encantados de
luchar contra el tráfico. Valdrá la pena
para nosotros ".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-74840267624398295132017-11-13T19:40:00.001-08:002017-11-13T20:26:34.953-08:00Homily - MCHS Graduation - May 2016 - The Parable of the Talents<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">HOMILY
– MEMPHIS CATHOLIC GRADUATION MASS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">JUNE
11, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7db-3VCLXLk/WgpwcLM5G8I/AAAAAAAACHU/8RqcvwVpdGELZSgOetNT1wt7JA56exhswCLcBGAs/s1600/Parable%2Bof%2Bthe%2BTalents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7db-3VCLXLk/WgpwcLM5G8I/AAAAAAAACHU/8RqcvwVpdGELZSgOetNT1wt7JA56exhswCLcBGAs/s1600/Parable%2Bof%2Bthe%2BTalents.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1. Well, look
at all of you. Your family and friends
are sitting behind you and they are so extremely proud of you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Moms &
dads, grandmas & grandpas, aunts & uncles, guardians, can you remember
when you first held your graduate or the first time he or she spoke? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Graduates,
this is a VERY special day for you and you have reason to be proud of
yourselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4. And, I ask
you to look around for a moment and just soak in how many people have your
back. You are loved because YOU are YOU
and for no other reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5. In today’s
Gospel, we hear what might, at first, sound like a harsh message in Jesus’
parable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6. “For to everyone who has, more will be given
and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be
taken away”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7. Every once in a while, Jesus’ message catches
us off guard. It doesn’t seem fair
(unless we seek to understand his true message). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8. Remember, Christ used parables a lot to teach
the people, AND, we love stories too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9. So, what about these talents that the
servants were given to take care of for their master?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10. Maybe, one of your theology teachers shared
this with you OR maybe this is new. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">11. A talent was a large currency measurement in
the days of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">12. When we hear that the first servant was given
5 talents and then the second was given 2 talents and the third was given 1
talent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">13. I bet most of us, especially with our American
culture, think “well what’s the big deal since it was “ONLY” 1 talent, that
can’t be much compared to what the first two servants had?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">14. Well, let’s look at what a talent (in Jesus’
time) was worth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">15. My sources say that 1 talent = 6,000
denarii. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">16. Okay, so what’s a denarii worth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">17. At that time, a day’s wages were worth 1
denarii.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18. So, 1 talent would have been a HUGE amount of
money! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">19. But, we tend to focus on, not the worth of what
we have, but on HOW MUCH MORE someone else has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">20. Graduates, back to focusing on you – your
history and your future!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">21. What talents do you have?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">22. I bet many of you are like me and get caught
up in thinking that someone else’s great musical or athletic talents are so
much greater than your own talents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">23. But, let me share with you what I’ve observed
over the years that I have shared with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">24. I’ve seen great communicators, I’ve seen you
care for each other, I’ve seen you be creative, I’ve seen you tackle great
projects at your workplaces and I’ve seen each of you show your love for God
and in one way or another show God’s love to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">25. Some of you know some of the talents you have
that you weren’t quite comfortable sharing with our school community, maybe
that was in song or dance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">26. All of us have talents that we haven’t yet
fully discovered yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">27. Jesus, in today’s Gospel, is telling us that
God’s gifts (our talents) are of HUGE importance and value. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">28. God gave these talents to each of us and He
has a purpose for each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">29. Think about it this way. If I individually don’t use a talent, a gift
that God has given me to use (to give away to someone), then some part of God’s
plan goes undone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">30. You’ve each come from different backgrounds,
from different hometowns, and your stories are diverse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">31. But, you have gifts that God has given you
and He wants you to explore them, to develop them, and to invest yourself in
the lives of others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">32. Graduates, I want you to do something for me
right now and quickly but quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">33. Please stand and turn around to face your
families behind you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">34. Moms, dads, sisters and brothers,
grandparents, guardians and friends --- would you please stand and look toward
your graduate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">35. As I pray this blessing over them, please
think about the many talents that you have seen your graduate display and maybe
some that they don’t even realize.
Please extend one or both of your hands toward the graduates as a sign
of blessing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God, our Father, you put each of us on this
earth for a purpose, and you are helping us to discover this purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We ask You to bless these young women and men
and to strengthen each of them to trust in You and in the gifts that you have
given them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Graduates, we bless you in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">36. Please be seated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">37. Graduates, we all love gifts and, over the
years, you have received many gifts on birthdays, Christmas, Easter and
more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">38. Some of the simplest gifts meant so much to
you because you knew the giver of the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">39. Some gifts of great value were special for a
moment because you knew the $ value involved, but maybe you didn’t really know
who it was from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">40. So, how do I expect you to discover your own
talents and to use them as God meant for you to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">41. You must know the giver of these gifts, these
talents!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">42. To know in the academic setting is usually a
head trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">43. To know Jesus Christ, yes, we need to study
His word and the history of ancient times and throughout our own times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">44. But, to really know Jesus Christ and likewise
His Father, each of us must allow ourselves to enter into a personal
relationship with the Son of the living God.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">45. You’ve done amazing work at Memphis Catholic
and I trust that you’ve grown in your understanding of faith and religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">46. As you walk out of this Church today, please
consider this. At your baptism, you were
called to be a member of the Church. You
became a child of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">47. If you have not yet been baptized, know that
you are loved by your God and He invites you to die and rise with Him through
the life-giving waters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">48. Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-4568917049073479872017-11-13T19:37:00.004-08:002017-11-13T20:31:55.847-08:00Homily - Eng/Span - 3rd Sun of Advent - Year A - 20161211 - What are you waiting for?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PdJKvCVboU/Wgpxsr5TgNI/AAAAAAAACHg/Pg0PXlQbvYkUTHyUDc8F2PMcKtiFBSR0ACLcBGAs/s1600/What%2Bare%2Byou%2Bwaiting%2Bfor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="1014" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_PdJKvCVboU/Wgpxsr5TgNI/AAAAAAAACHg/Pg0PXlQbvYkUTHyUDc8F2PMcKtiFBSR0ACLcBGAs/s320/What%2Bare%2Byou%2Bwaiting%2Bfor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
are we waiting for? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">¿Qué
estámos esperando? </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At
times, we each go through struggles.
Maybe, it’s with our kids or spouses, or with our financial
situation. And sometimes, we’re told to
just wait! Wait and it will all get
better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
veces, cada uno de nosotros vaya a través de las luchas. Tal vez, es con
nuestros hijos o esposos, o nuestra situación financiera. Y a veces, nos dicen
que sólo esperar! Espera y se va a mejorar.</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
are a few things that get “better” with time, if we just wait; a favorite
choice of wine or waiting out the symptoms of a cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hay
algunas cosas que "mejoran" con el tiempo, si sólo esperamos; una
opción preferida de vino o esperar a los síntomas de un resfriado.</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
can we just wait on most things? Can’t
waiting without action turn into procrastination OR when we don’t see any
positive turn in our situation, can’t we be pulled into despair?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">¿Pero
sólo podemos esperar en la mayoría de las cosas? ¿No se espera sin acción
convertir en procrastinación o cuando no vemos cualquier giro positivo en
nuestra situación, no podemos nosotros ser accionados en la desesperación?</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last
week, we met John the Baptist in our Gospel reading. All of Judea, we’re told, was going out to
see him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">La
semana pasada, conocimos a Juan el Bautista en nuestra lectura del Evangelio. Todo
la gente de Judea, nos dicen, fue ir a verlo. </span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Hebrew people, remember, had experienced generation after generation of despair
over the loss of their homeland to foreign occupiers. But, they continued on working and living as
families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recuerde
que el pueblo hebreo, habían experimentado generación tras generación de la
desesperación por la pérdida de su patria a los ocupantes extranjeros. Sin
embargo, continuaron trabajando y viviendo como familias.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d
like to focus on one family in this scene for a bit. Nearly nine months ago, we heard of the
announcement to Mary that she would bear a Son.
We know this Son as Emmanuel, God with us! She would be the mother of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Me
gustaría centrarse en una familia en esta escena un poco. Casi nueve meses
atrás, nos enteramos del anuncio a Maria que ella llevaría a un hijo. ¡Sabemos
que este hijo como Emmanuel, Dios con nosotros! Ella sería la madre de Jesús.</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And,
Mary learns that her elder cousin, Elizabeth, is with child. Two women in very unpredictable, one might
say “impossible” situations with their pregnancies. One a virgin, one an old woman thought to be
barren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Y
María se entera que su prima mayor, Isabel, es con el niño. Dos mujeres en
situaciones muy impredecible, uno podrían decir situaciones
"imposibles" con sus embarazos. Una Virgen, y una mujer vieja piensa
que es estéril.</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mary
went to Elizabeth! She had just learned
of joyous, but troubling news of her own situation. Betrothed to Joseph but not yet in relations,
she is pregnant! But even in this
precarious situation, Mary’s heart reaches out to her cousin Elizabeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">María
fue a Isabel! Ella había aprendido sólo de alegre, pero inquietantes noticias
de su propia situación. Desposada con José, pero todavía no en las relaciones,
está embarazada! Pero incluso en esta situación precaria, corazón de María
llega a su prima Isabel.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
what happens when Mary reaches Elizabeth’s house and calls out to her in greeting? John, Elizabeth’s child, leaps in her womb
with joy at his Savior approaching him.
At that moment, we would think that, at the very least, Mary and
Elizabeth know who the Child in Mary’s womb is --- He is Jesus, the Son of God,
the Savior of the World, the promised Messiah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Y
¿qué sucede cuando María llega a casa de Isabel y llama a su saludo? Juan, el hijo
de Isabel, salta en su vientre con alegría en su Salvador aproximándose a él.
En este momento, podría pensar, en el lo menos, María y Isabel sabe que el niño
en el vientre de María es---él es Jesus, el hijo de Dios, el Salvador del
mundo, el Mesías prometido!</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
our gospels, we only get a few glimpses into Jesus’ younger life. We know that Joseph and Mary fled with Him to
Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">En
nuestros evangelios, sólo obtenemos unos destellos en la vida joven de Jesus.
Sabemos que José y María huyeron con él a Egipto para evitar la ira de Herodes.
</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
then Joseph returns with his Holy Family and we hear of a trip to Jerusalem for
the festivals. And, young Jesus stays
behind with the elders in the temple and He’s found three days later. Was John part of these family journeys? Were the two cousins close as
youngsters? We don’t really know
although many authors over time have hypothesized on Jesus’ life before He
appears on the scene at the wedding at Cana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Y
luego José regresa con su sagrada familia y nos enteramos de un viaje a Jerusalén
para las fiestas. Y Jesus joven se queda atrás con los ancianos en el templo y
se encuentra tres días más tarde. ¿Fue Juan parte de estos viajes familiares?
¿Fueron los dos primos cercanos como los jóvenes? No sabemos realmente si bien
muchos autores con el tiempo han presumido en la vida de Jesus antes de que
aparezca en la escena de la boda de Caná.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But,
what we do know is that John was called and he answered that call to prepare
the way, to prepare the way for One greater than he! Did John the Baptist know who his cousin
Jesus was as the Son of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pero
lo que sí sabemos es Juan fue llamado y respondió a ese llamado para preparar
el camino para preparar el camino para un mas grande que él! ¿Juan Bautista
sabía que era su primo Jesus como el hijo de Dios?</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
now come to today’s gospel and we encounter John, once again, but he is in
prison for speaking out; speaking out against the sins of the ruler of
Judea. But John doesn’t simply wait for
his coming demise, his death!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ahora
llegamos al Evangelio de hoy nos encontramos con Juan, una vez más, y él está
en la cárcel por hablar denunciar los pecados de lo gobernante de Judea. Pero
Juan no simplemente espera a su próxima desaparición, su muerte!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">John
continues to prepare the way as he sends his disciples. He knows and he has said, “I am not the
Messiah”. He sends these followers to
their Savior with a question. “Are you
the One”? I would propose that even this
sending is part of the preparation for the Lord’s coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Juan
continúa preparando la manera como él envía a sus discípulos. Él sabe y él ha
dicho, "yo no soy el Mesías". Envía a estos seguidores a su Salvador
con una pregunta. "¿Es el?" Les propongo que incluso este envío es
parte de la preparación para la venida del Señor. </span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">John
is GREAT in the plan of God! John
received the people in the desert. He
baptized them with water. He heard and
knew their fears, their despair. And he
baptized them, reminding them with his words and actions that Yahweh’s message
is TRUE, just as true as in days of the Exodus with Moses and in the glorious
reign of David!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Juan
Bautista es GRAN en el plan de Dios! Juan recibió el pueblo en el desierto. Les
bautizó con agua. Escuchó y sabía que sus temores, su desesperación. Y bautizó
a ellos, recordándoles con sus palabras y acciones que mensaje de Yahweh es
VERDADERO, tan verdadero como en los días del éxodo con Moisés y en el Reino
glorioso de David!</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And,
WE know that Jesus is the ONE! He is
Emmanuel, God with Us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Y
sabemos que Jesús es el UNO! ¡Él es Emmanuel, Dios con nosotros!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So,
what are WE waiting for? You and I have
journeyed with our Church through a Jubilee Year of Mercy and we’ve been
reminded over and over again, “Go Out!
Go out and share Jesus with others!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Así
que, ¿qué estámos esperando? Tú y yo han viajado con nuestra iglesia a través
de un año de Jubileo de la misericordia y nos hemos recordados una y otra vez,
"Vaya! ¡Vaya y compartir a Jesús con otros"!</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
do we prepare for the coming of our Savior?
We share Jesus as his cousin John did by sharing Jesus’ mercy with
others --- with our families, our co-workers, and strangers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">¿Cómo
prepararnos para la venida de nuestra Salvador? Compartimos Jesus como su primo
Juan compartiendo la misericordia de Jesús con los demás---con nuestras
familias, nuestras compañeros y extraños.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
are you waiting for? For who are you
John the Baptist; preparing the way for the Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="ES" style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">¿Qué
estás esperando? Para quien eres tu, Juan el Bautista; ¿preparando el camino
para el Señor?</span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-49389761078883850262017-11-13T19:24:00.000-08:002017-11-13T20:34:41.677-08:00Homily - Veterans Day Prayer Service - 20171110 - On His right or His left - Delivered at Memphis Catholic<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Homily – Veterans’ Day Prayer
Service – 20171110 – Memphis Catholic<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good
morning! Today, we celebrate and we
remember. We remember those we know as
Veterans. Veterans who are our friends,
our family members, our teachers, our bus drivers, and women and men who we
don’t even know, but who have served our country and the ideals that we hold as
Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And,
we hear reflections and songs that help us to remember. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
morning, we’ve again broken open God’s Word through the first reading from the
Book of Ruth, our Psalm and the Gospel reading all of which we just
shared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s
look at some of what these Scriptures might say to us this morning for just a
few minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
know the words of the song:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our God is an awesome
God he reigns; From heaven above with wisdom, power and love</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Our God is an awesome God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, some of us get really inspired and fired
up when we sing this song. But, do we
live it? Do we live like God is the
almighty, the Creator, the all-knowing, the all-loving, Redeemer and Provider?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we read and listen to the words of King David
in the first reading from the Book of Ruth, we hear David exclaim “The Lord is
my rock”! “My God is my rock, my
shield”! He goes on “I called to the
Lord”. This call to the Lord sounds like
prayer to me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do we take the privilege to pray for
granted? When your teacher ask you to
offer petitions or prayers for loved ones, do you embrace the opportunity? Or, do you let the opportunity pass by,
because it’s just a silly prayer thing?
And, besides, you don’t want to be vulnerable around my friends. Heaven forbid, that in a Catholic, Christian,
school, we should let down our guard a little bit and acknowledge God as “My
Rock”, “My Shield”!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, David’s song goes on to share how “the
waves of death” and his “enemies” are surrounding him and he is being
overwhelmed! Do you ever feel like
that? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by
your family situation, your struggles with some of your academic work, the
challenges you find in maturing into adulthood.
Or, maybe, a better question is how many times in the past week have you
felt that overwhelming feeling and the weight of the world upon you? We, like David, can call out to our AWESOME
GOD and ask for His guidance, His love, His presence of calm in the storm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In our Gospel, we see images of Jesus and the
Father. Images of “the Son of Man”
seated on His glorious throne; the image of a shepherd separating the sheep
from the goats; and, the image of Christ as “King” speaking to those on His
right and those on His left. How will
we be recognized by the King when we die?
Brothers and sisters, we clearly know from watching all that is
happening in our world from Las Vegas to New York City to First Baptist Church
in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that we do not know when our own death will come,
do we? I pray that we all live long,
loving lives, but we just don’t know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, in our Gospel, there is confusion among
those on the right and the left. First,
those welcomed into the kingdom, did not realize that they had been serving the
King all along. But, they were. They were caring for the least of Christ’s
brothers and sisters. They weren’t
deciding whether it was convenient or socially acceptable to care for the sick,
the hungry, the naked. No, they were
caring for people everywhere and at all times!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, then there are those on the left, who are
presumably “nice people” who ignore the needs of others. They are self-absorbed, clueless of the
plight of those around them. Or, even
worse, they are aware of the needs, but could care less to do anything about
those needs. Maybe, they think that
their time to serve will happen someday “when I’m older and I have more money”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reality, guys, is that someday never comes
and when we are being separated as sheep or goats, our intentions won’t
matter. Did we serve Him? Did you and I serve His people? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, back to the beginning to one of our
favorite songs, yes, “our God is an Awesome God”. He does reign with “wisdom, with power, with
love”! Do we glorify Him by caring for
Him in His people? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, I invite you to spend a moment hear,
NOW, to think of where you stand? Are
you on His right or on His left? Would
you like to move over to the right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come follow Him!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-4387293497928327802017-10-01T18:43:00.003-07:002017-11-13T19:30:07.440-08:00Homilia - 26 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Ano A - acciones de las comunidades<span style="font-size: large;">Mi homilia para el 26 Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario - Ano A</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">¿Alguna vez sientes como si estuvieras en el exilio como católico cristiano en nuestra sociedad americana? ¿O piensa en la gente en el exilio, de los días del Antiguo Testamento? En nuestra primera lectura, el profeta Ezequiel es oír el grito </span><span style="font-size: large;">del pueblo en el exilio, desterrado a un país lejos de su templo, su cultura, su lengua. ¡Imagina la gente en el exilio clamando a Ezequiel que " 'No es justo el proceder del Señor"! Y Ezequiel gritando aún más fuerte “¿No es más bien el </span><span style="font-size: large;">proceder de ustedes el injusto?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Como ves en la descripción de los pecados de los impíos en la primera lectura y el de los publicanos y las prostitutas en el Evangelio, ¿ puedes relacionar esto a su propio pecado? La mayoría de nosotros somos pecadores "menores", ¿no? ¿Nos relacionamos con estas palabras acerca de "publicanos" que engañó a todo el pueblo y había traicionado a sus vecinos? ¿O podemos vernos en las acciones de las prostitutas? Se atreven decir que nos fijamos en los pecados que cometemos como pecados menores, y queremos comparar nuestras luchas con aquellos que han cometido hasta ahora acciones "más pecaminosas" que nosotros. ¿Sin embargo, no juzgamos, no?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">¡Ezequiel habla de la salvación de los corrompidos por sus malos caminos! No tenemos la tentación de saltar y decirle a Ezequiel, sí, esa gente son malvadas! ¿Se puede creer las cosas terribles que ha hecho? ¿Puede creer que ella está haciendo tal y tal? Pero ¿qué dice Ezequiel de aquellos que se vuelven de sus malos </span><span style="font-size: large;">caminos? Cuando el pecador se arrepiente del mal que hizo y practica la rectitud y la justicia, él mismo salva su vida. No debemos escuchar y levantar un "Aleluya, alabado sea Dios, mi hermano fue muerto en el pecado y su vida se ha guardado". Pero, vamos a ser real, no somos generalmente impresionados? Somos escépticos y nos gusta juzgar a los demás. Tal vez, nos hace sentir mejor sobre la menor pecaminosidad que tenemos hacia nuestros familiares y compañeros de trabajo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">San Pablo escribe a los Filipenses acerca de cómo deben comportarse y cuidar de su comunidad. Pablo estimula y corrige las acciones de las comunidades en todo el mundo gentil en todos sus escritos. En la actualidad la segunda lectura, Pablo se dirige a la comunidad en Phillipi y exhorta a "llénenme de alegría teniendo todos </span><span style="font-size: large;">una misma manera de pensar, un mismo amor, unas mismas aspiraciones y una sola alma. Nada hagan por espíritu de rivalidad ni presunción; antes bien, por humildad, cada uno considere a los demás como superiores a sí mismo y no busque su propio interés, sino el del prójimo."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Y, luego, Pablo cita el himno de vaciado que seguramente fue cantado por la comunidad en la iglesia primitiva en Phillipi durante las celebraciones eucarísticas. Qué significa para uno mismo? Significa que Pablo ha dicho actuar con humildad. Vemos rasgos de cómo “nada hagan por espíritu de rivalidad ni presunción", no?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cuando el niño está enfermo y tiene nausea, no pensamos nada cuando nuestro precioso bebé vomita sobre nuestra ropa. Agarramos la mano de nuestros padres ancianos ya que cerca de la muerte a menudo en casos donde se han olvidado de quiénes somos. Pero, estamos allí, ¿no?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pero entonces, nos fijamos en la familia inmigrante que tenga miembros que son </span><span style="font-size: large;">indocumentados. Y nosotros podríamos convencer por nuestro trasfondo político a olvidar que estamos hablando de seres humanos, hermanos, madres y padres, hijos y hijas. ¿Nuestra retórica a menudo de rivalidad ni presunción como presentamos económicamente sonido razonamientos de por qué no deberíamos tener mas amor y compasión para aquellos que buscan vivir como familias y cuidar de otros?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Y luego escuchamos el himno vaciado y escuchamos las hermosas palabras hablando de cómo Jesús despojó a sí mismo. Nuestro Señor y Salvador, la palabra hecha carne, Emmanuel, “Cristo, siendo Dios no consideró que debía aferrarsea las prerrogativas de su condición divina, sino que, por el contrario, se anonadó a sí mismo, tomando la condición de siervo, y se hizo semejante a los hombres.” WOW, un siervo! Piensa en las imágenes que trae a tu mente. Dios, en la persona de su hijo, hizo siervo de la humanidad, por obediencia aceptó incluso la muerte,”, Pero, no sólo una muerte, “una muerte de cruz!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Y yo, este hombre de pecados menores, no llevo algunas cruces muy importantes a lo largo de esta vida? Pero, ¿cuántas cruces he puesto sobre los hombros de los demás? Necesito ser más consciente de cómo cargo otros con cruces. Es necesario permitir que otros ven junto a mí que me ayude a soportar el peso de mi cruz, y cuando puedo, puedo ser el Simón el de Cirene y la Cruz de mi vecino. O por lo menos puedo ayudar a llevar el yugo de la de otra dolores al andar con ellos. ¡No, a juzgar y destruirlos! No, ser demasiado terco o derrotados, para no permitir que un amigo o familiar que me ayude!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">¿Pero, Dios no simplemente nos pide rivalidad ni presunción,? Dios padre no solo dice "Bien, gracias hijo, hiciste una gran cosa para mis hijos en la tierra cuando murió, Jesús". ¿Qué hizo Jesús, y lo que él puede hacer por usted y yo? </span><span style="font-size: large;">¡ Por eso Dios lo exaltó sobre todas las cosas!, y le otorgó el nombre que está sobre todo nombre!, para que, al nombre de Jesús, todos doblen la rodilla en el cielo, en la tierra y en los abismos!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Y por favor exclamar conmigo lo que y todos ereconozcan públicamente «Que Jesucristo es el Señor», que "Jesucristo es el Señor" para gloria de Dios Padre. AMÉN!!!!!!</span>tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-11244720828608151492017-10-01T18:42:00.000-07:002017-11-13T19:30:49.048-08:00Homily for 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Year A - The actions of the communityMy homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary a Time<br />
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Do you ever feel like you’re in exile as a Catholic Christian in our American society? Or do think of people in exile being only from Old Testament days? In our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel is hearing the cry of the people in exile, exiled to a country far from their temple, their culture, their language. Imagine the people in exile crying out to Ezekiel that “God is not treating us fairly”! And, there’s Ezekiel yelling even louder that the Lord’s ways are not only fair, but the people’s sins are what are not fair!<br />
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As you look at the description of the sins of the wicked in the first reading and that of tax collectors and prostitutes in the Gospel, can you relate this to your own sinfulness? Most of us are “minor” sinners, aren’t we? Do we relate to these words about “tax collectors” who cheated all the people and betrayed their neighbors? Or can we see ourselves in the actions of the prostitutes? I’d dare say that we look at the sins we commit as minor, and we want to compare our struggles with those who have committed far “more sinful” actions than us. But, we don’t judge, do we?<br />
Ezekiel speaks of the salvation of those corrupted by their wicked ways! And, aren’t we tempted to jump in and tell Ezekiel, yeah, those wicked people! Can you believe the awful things he has done? Can you believe that she is doing such and such? But what does Ezekiel say of those who turn from their wicked ways? He says that when she or he turns from these wicked ways and does good and loves others, their lives are preserved! Shouldn’t we hear this and raise an “Alleluia, praise God, my brother or sister was dead in sin and his life has been saved”! But, let’s be real, we aren’t usually impressed are we? We are skeptical and we enjoy judging others. Maybe, it makes us feel better about the minor sinfulness we have toward our family members and co-workers.<br />
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The Apostle Paul writes to the Phillipians about how they are to conduct themselves and take care of their community. Paul encourages and corrects the actions of communities throughout the Gentile world in all his writings. In today’s second reading, Paul speaks to the community at Phillipi and exhorts them to “complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.”<br />
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And, then, Paul quotes the Kinosis hymn (the emptying hymn) that was surely sung by the community in the early Church in Phillipi during Eucharistic celebrations. What does it mean to empty oneself? It means as Paul has said to act out of humility. We see glimpses of how we “do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory”, don’t we? When our young child is sick and nauceous, we think nothing of holding our precious baby as he or she vomits on us late at night. We will hold the hand of our elderly parent as they near death often in cases where they have forgotten who we are. But, we are there, aren’t we?<br />
<br />
But then, we look at the immigrant family who may have members who are undocumented. And, we might be swayed by our political background to forget that we are talking about human beings, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. Does our rhetoric often tend toward selfishness or vainglory even as we present economically-sound reasonings for why we should not have complete love and compassion for those seeking to live as families and care for others?<br />
<br />
And then we listen to the emptying hymn and we hear the beautiful words speaking of how Jesus emptied Himself. Our Lord and Savior, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God<br />
something to be grasped, something to boast about, something to lord over others. No, Jesus emptied or humbled himself in the form of a slave. Wow, a slave! Think of the images that brings to your mind. God, in the person of His Son, made himself a slave to mankind, becoming obedient even to death. But, not just death,<br />
DEATH ON A CROSS!!!<br />
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And, I, this man of minor sins, don’t I carry some pretty major Crosses throughout this life? But, how many crosses have I laid on the shoulders of others? I need to become more aware of how I burden others with crosses. I need to allow others to come alongside me to help me bear the weight of my cross, and when I am able, I can be the Simon the Cyrenian and carry the cross of my neighbor. Or I can at least help carry the yoke of another’s pains by walking with them. Not, judging and tearing them down! Not, being too stubborn or defeated, to not allow a friend or<br />
family member to help me!<br />
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But, God does not simply ask us to act humbly, without vainglory, does he? God the Father didn’t just say “Well, Jesus, thank you Son, you did a great thing for my children on earth when you died Jesus”. What did he do for Jesus, and what might he want to do for you and me?<br />
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God greatly exalted him!<br />
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And he and bestowed on him the name which is above every name!<br />
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That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth!<br />
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And please exclaim with me what every tongue will confess "That JESUS CHRIST is LORD” , that “Jesus Christ is Lord” to the glory of God the Father. AMEN!!!tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-35648726713150491572017-07-02T21:26:00.001-07:002017-11-13T19:31:22.230-08:00Homily - First Communion 20170521 (wriiten; not delivered) This weekend, we celebrate with these young people something very new to them. Something very precious to them. When we are young, we have a sense of wonder and awe. As a young person watches mom and dad or older brothers and sisters approach the priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, don’t they often marvel at all of us receiving what appears to be bread and wine.<br />
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Over the years, I get a smile on my face each time I see a youngster who walks beside mom or dad in the communion line and they reach for the communion host. And, they really want it. I doubt that most have a clear idea of what it is that we are receiving. Or, let me correct myself, I doubt that the youngster understands “who” we are receiving. But they want! Why do they want? Because they see us receiving and isn’t it human to want what others receive?<br />
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So, I turn my words for a moment to these young people who will approach the Lord’s table for the first time today to receive. <br />
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Kids, can you tell all these adults around you who it is who you will receive in the Eucharist for the first time in a few minutes? (Wait)... Who is He? (JESUS!!!!) And, what have you felt in the weeks leading up to now as you waited for your turn to receive Jesus? (Nervous, anxious, envious)! <br />
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My friends, these children do know WHO they seek to receive and they are filled with wonder and awe at the very idea of receiving GOD into themselves through the gifts He gives to us. They have journeyed through formation classes to better understand these special gifts. They may have heard why Jesus chose bread and wine as the elements for this Eucharistic celebration. <br />
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Bread because of the process it goes through to become what it is. We don’t just say poof and there’s bread. No we take wheat that is dried (the stalk is dead). We grind it up (it is broken). <br />
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And the wine? Wine typically comes from grapes. But what must happen to these grapes before we have wine? That’s right, they must be stomped or smashed to collect the sweet juice from the fruit. <br />
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But these aren’t just simple symbols for us, are they? Please, all of you, at this very moment. Think of what we are about to do. Do you “know”, do you “believe” that what still appears to be bread and wine, are really and truly changed? Do you believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist we share? Do you? <br />
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When we each approach in the communion line, we are presented with a gift and a statement is presented to us…”The Body of Christ”...and we make a decision in that moment! We decide that we truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in that small wafer. And we say “Amen”. Amen...I believe. OR, do we simply go through the motions and walk up in the line because everyone else does?<br />
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And then a second statement is offered to us…”The Blood of Christ”...Again, we make a decision, a decision that, like the first, makes all the difference in the world. We say “Amen”. Amen, I believe. <br />
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I said at the beginning, that children are filled with wonder and awe. And, as they prepare for their First Communion, they WANT Him. <br />
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Do you WANT Him? Do you NEED Him? <br />
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Or is this some game, some obligation? <br />
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Whether today is your First Communion or if you have received His Body and His Blood for many years, I pray that you will again be filled with wonder and awe. That you might tremble with excitement and anticipation as you prepare to receive the Word made flesh into your self. This Word which created the entire world and This Word who saved this world through giving Himself up on the Cross.<br />
My friends, we are all children. Children of a loving God! Oh, that we might be like our Jewish brothers and sisters who are in such awe of our Creator that they will not speak His name. As you approach the Eucharist today, I wonder if any of you might be filled with that wonder and awe from when you first received! I wonder if any of you might be moved to tears as you realize the great gift which Christ and His Church give to you today in His Body and His Blood! <br />
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After you receive Him today, please quietly return to your pew and spend a few minutes with Christ. Christ within you! Allow Him to permeate every cell of your body. Your “Amen” changes everything! Jesus Christ changes everything!<br />
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tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-71233900829947144322017-07-02T21:03:00.001-07:002017-07-02T21:03:20.616-07:00Homily 13Sun of OT Yr A - Baptized into Christ's DeathIn case you're interested, below is my homily from this weekend (13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A)<br />
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When you walked into the Church this morning, you probably dipped your fingers into the waters of the Baptismal font. Do we do this so much out of habit that we forget? Maybe, you still have the drops of water on your shirt or blouse!<br />
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Do you ever think of the babies and young children who were just baptized in the last week and months at this very font? Do you think of the newly baptized who came into the Church this past Easter? It wasn’t but 2 months ago or so!<br />
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We make such a spectacle, and I don’t mean it’s a bad thing, but we make a big deal around the celebrations of Baptism and the other Sacraments. But, do we remember? Do you and I treasure the graces that we receive and that other members of our Church family receive at this font and in this Church?<br />
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St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death”?<br />
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Does going to Church make a difference in your life? Or, is it still making a difference in your life? When you fall down in sinful ways, does your faith and your baptism help you to rise again? Have you taken the Bible in your hands recently and allowed God to form your heart by His Word? <br />
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St. Paul knew his Jewish faith well as a Pharisee! He knew his scriptures and practiced his faith so well that he was willing to defend his faith against what he believed was blasphemy!<br />
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He killed early Christians to protect the faith he knew. But he was wrong! And, Christ knocked him down and rebuilt him. <br />
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St. Paul, who wrote to the Romans, “We were indeed buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life,” he was himself raised from the death of hatred and misunderstanding of God’s plan.<br />
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St. Paul, in the newness of his own life after baptism, spread the Gospel and helped others and he helps us to know Christ through his letters to the early Church communities.<br />
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As you reflect on how your life might be influenced by today’s society of social media, music, pornography, gossip, and more, know that you need to die to the ways of the world and rise again. I encourage you to open your Bible to Paul’s letters during Ordinary Time this summer and into the fall to learn what St. Paul wants to share with you about the life of Christ. <br />
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In all the wonders of this world and amongst the entertainment and distractions, have you and I allowed these things to change us? We are formed by all that we read, we are formed by all that we see, and we are formed by all that we experience. For better or for worse! <br />
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Can you, like St. Paul did throughout his life, look at how you are experiencing life and see where Christ is working and where you might need to allow Him to work? Or, do you have it all figured out? Do you recognize sin in your life? Are you willing to call sin SIN and offer it up to Him? <br />
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If you are like me and often get caught in the routine of life and even in the Church don’t live in the moment of the beauty of each action, each symbol, each word, might you be willing to focus today as you go out into the world!<br />
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Like Christ, we have died through the waters of Baptism! And, like Christ we have risen. Let us not take our Faith for granted, let us not take our community for granted, rather let us invest our whole selves into our families, our faith community and our roles in this society! “So that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life”. Amen.tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2516354142220858458.post-63939849432423210812016-10-01T14:45:00.001-07:002017-11-13T21:04:12.423-08:00Homily - Raising of the Widows' Sons (20160605) - Yr CThank you to all for your prayers. Some expressed interest in getting a copy of my first homily from today's celebration of the Mass.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5n9wXgkNFk&t=214s">Video link to Homily</a>
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It was the summer of 1982 (just 34 years ago) and a young boy aged 12 walked into the center bedroom in grandma and grandpa’s house in a little Missouri town. This 12 year old knew that his mother had been sick, but he didn’t really get what this all would mean for he, his father and his 4 older brothers. His mother had given her family everything she had within her and now she lay dying from cancer in her own parents’ home.<br />
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I was that 12 year old and as I walked to the side of my mother’s bed, she asked me why I wasn’t in school. She wanted the best for me even as she had no idea that I was on summer break. I only spent a few minutes in her room that day, but my mother was leaving me that day. Why her?<br />
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And over the last 10-15 years as I’ve matured, I thought about what her death must have meant to my 4 older brothers and my aunts and uncles. What must my father (who sits here listening to me today), Daddy, what must you have been thinking? I look at my own wife and think that although you must have felt lost in a cruel world, asking God why he took your wife so soon, you went on, you continued on with your life.<br />
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To my brothers, my aunts and uncles and especially to my Daddy, “I LOVE YOU!” And now, as I begin serving our Church in the ministry of deacon, Iwant to say something to each and every one of you here today from the bottom of my heart… “I LOVE YOU!”<br />
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12. As I was reflecting on today’s readings and the shared character of a WIDOW in both the 1st reading and Gospel, I could not help but think of the beginnings of the diaconate, the order to which I was graced by God to be ordained just yesterday.<br />
13. The Apostles chose the first deacons to care for the needs of the widows and orphans who felt neglected.<br />
14. But what to say of these 2 widows? Both experienced the death of a husband who they loved.<br />
15. At some point in our own lives, we know the struggles that they experienced.<br />
16. Since the primary provider at that time would have been her husband, the widow was faced with uncertainty as she was shunned; she was a no body on her own.<br />
17. She would surely need the help of her sons, her family and her community.<br />
18. In the 1st Book of Kings, the widow encounters the prophet Elijah.<br />
19. And, she is faced with death once again, the death of her son! What devastation she must have been experiencing!<br />
20. All of us have or will experience the death of loved ones, some after a long life, some taken way too soon.<br />
21. We search for meaning and many of us know the experience of asking God, “WHY??? Why now?”<br />
22. And, hopefully, we’re surrounded by a loving community of friends and family who comfort us as we experience feeling lost and alone; this meaningful person who we have shared many a times “I LOVE YOU” with, is now separated from us in a way that we’ve never known before.<br />
23. Truth be told, we know the raw feeling as we can no longer hold their hand, feel their embrace, or hear their voice.<br />
24. Now, we aren’t likely to experience the physical rising from the dead like in these stories of the widows’ sons until we are all raised at the end of time, but we do seek HOPE…<br />
25. Hope that our own loved one will be raised to be with Christ and spend all eternity in the face-to-face presence of our loving God.<br />
26. What a powerful thing for us to remember in the midst of this suffering!<br />
27. So, I’d like us to consider how we as a Christian community, especially this Catholic community here at Christ the King, are to<br />
experience and support one another in the times of suffering and death, mourning and living?<br />
28. Our Church shows us such love in its Funeral Rites which seek to comfort us in so many different circumstances of death be it young or old, expected or unexpected.<br />
29. The confusion, pain and sorrow may differ in type and severity, but the reality is no different and we, the CHURCH, are called to comfort those who are experiencing the death of the one who they no longer hear “I LOVE YOU” from.<br />
30. We are called to help them recognize their love is an everlasting one, just as Christ’s love is.<br />
31. We need to trust and know that Christ’s mercy is with us always as He was with Mary and Martha during the death of their brother Lazarus. 32. He was with the widow in today’s Gospel as Elijah was with the widow in our 1st reading.<br />
33. We can be assured of His presence even if no one else is with us.<br />
34. I have been touched seeing members of our Christ the King community reach out to those who are dying and comfort them and their families.<br />
35. I have experienced the great love offered immediately following the death of my father-in-law and in the days which followed.<br />
36. I tried my best to help my dear wife as she and our three children said goodbye for now to our dear “Papi”.<br />
37. And many of you were and are around us as we move forward.<br />
38. Especially in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we heed the corporal works of mercy, to “Bury the dead.”<br />
39. This means that we try to be present at the funeral when any member of our community has died and during the days and weeks and<br />
months ahead to be present to the family beyond the funeral.<br />
40. I believe, we ought to be present to the wife or husband, the children, the parents of the deceased.<br />
41. Perhaps, in silent comfort or a hand to hold, a gentle embrace, a promise to pray for and check on them to see how they’re doing in the<br />
hours, days and months to come; to offer them a soft “I LOVE YOU”.<br />
42. We need to be there for each other as I’ve seen us do as a woman struggles to come into our very own Christ the King Catholic Church as it reminds her of her husband who died not very long ago.<br />
43. May we be the community to help her to know that this is her home with God’s love and mercy.<br />
44. In our readings today, the sons of the widows are returned to them. 45. For us, we have HOPE and FAITH that our loved ones will be with our all-loving God.<br />
46. I ask you to reflect upon how you can offer the mercy of Christ especially to those who are faced with the death of a loved one, those who are struggling with family, the poor, the neglected and the unwanted.<br />
47. Ultimately, to whom can you offer God’s mercy?<br />
48. As Christ was present to the widow in the Gospel, His mercy is present to us in the Eucharist that we will share at this Altar.<br />
49. In taking the Eucharist, we become Christ!<br />
50. I ask you to close your eyes now and listen to this prayer offered to God in the Funeral Rite for a child who died before baptism:<br />
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"You are the author and sustainer of our lives, O God, you are our final home. We commend to you, this child.<br />
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Trusting in your mercy, and in your all-embracing love, we pray that you give him/her happiness forever.<br />
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Turn also to us who have suffered this loss.<br />
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Strengthen the bonds of this family and our community.<br />
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Confirm us in faith, in hope, and in love, so that we may bear your peace to one another and one day stand together with all the saints who praise you for your saving help.<br />
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We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”<br />
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51. I encourage you to extend God’s mercy this week especially to those who most need it and maybe you’ll find the opportunity to share with them a simple “I LOVE YOU”.tedschreckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01357359193244970483noreply@blogger.com0