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Fourth Sunday After Shunoyo
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THIRD SUNDAY AFTER SHUNOYO
Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” What he foretold was concerning Him; that he should be betrayed and killed. He perfectly knew, before, all things that should happen to him, and yet undertook the work of our redemption. His passion greatly commends his selfless love; and this love to human made all sufferings easy to him. THIRD SUNDAY AFTER SHUNOYO
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SECOND SUNDAY AFTER SHUNOYO: KEEP ASKING, SEEKING, KNOCKING!
Jesus gave the disciples a good example by praying constantly. He said that everyone who asks would receive. How about being diligent in our search; being hungry in our quest, and being relentless in our pilgrimage. God reward those who seek him. Let’s meditate this Sunday; in what ways are we ‘diligently’ seeking after God? How often do we pray? What do we pray about? Are we asking for what we need, or are we just communicating with God? Or are we having a communion with God?
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First Sunday after Shunoyo
James and John use their friendship with Jesus in order to manipulate him into giving them a place beside him, thinking it will bring them prestige and power. It must not have seemed improper to them at the time, nor do our “order-placing” prayers look that bad to us. If we are honest, a lot of our prayers consist of politely telling God how things should be.
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FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRANSFIGURATION (The Parable of the Two Sons: Doing the will of God)
Jesus asks the question: “Which of you is doing the will of my Father?” He is asking several questions at once: Are we participating in the kingdom of God, not yet, but already arrived? Are we committed to active response and obedience to God and not just lip service? Thereby are we becoming a member of Jesus’ spiritual family? Are we showing a commitment to saving the lost and excluded? Are we willing to sacrifice when necessary, on behalf of the kingdom? Again, ask ourselves: Which of us is doing the will of God?
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EIGHT SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Once again Jesus feeding a hungry crowd! The disciples forget that providing for people’s need is Jesus specialty; they find it hard to understand that Jesus is Christ! Our encounters and experience with God- the times when he has rescued, comforted, confronted and challenged us- should teach us to relay on his miraculous power. They should help us understand how he has cared for us in the past, especially at times of agony and sufferings. Since we are humans, we always forget His mercies, and our forgetfulness hardens our hearts. Let’s this Sunday recall His mercies and blessings; recall the last time God confronted, comforted, or guided us. Let’s…
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SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This passage affirms the spiritual authority and power present in Jesus’ ministry. His power is greater than evil spirits. But we always forget the power Jesus has in our lives. We always forget our call to do the will of God. Has our love for God slipped through time? Let us all pray together during Holy Qurbana to renew our love towards father. Let Christ renew our love towards father so that it flow freely again, as it once did.
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SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: Feeding the Four Thousand
Jesus’ ministry is remarkable in its practical and physical nature. Of course, he does teach deep truths, but he also attends to people’s need. He heals the sick and disabled, and takes time to feed a crowd of hungry people. What might be standing in our way to meaningfully share Jesus’ compassion?
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FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Feeding the 5000: “You give them something to eat”
Imagine that you are one of the disciples and Jesus is demanding you to deal with the people, asking for help. But you ask Jesus to send them away, he says, “You give them something to eat”. But you protest, “I’ve no more than_____”. In order to fill in the blank, take an inventory of the resources of your life: your personal, family, intellectual, material, physical and spiritual resources. Picture yourself placing these resources in Jesus’ hands, one by one, until the last resource is you- resting in the arms of Jesus.
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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost: Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand
Jesus showed compassion on the people and met their needs. How about imitating Christ’s compassion by putting the needs of others ahead of our own? How about staying up late with a disappointed relative or friend rather than getting our sleep? Let our schedule be interrupted to comfort or listen to somebody else.