CFC - Cluster 2 Chapter D: October 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM - Orientation

Saturday, October 25, 2008

THE SEVENFOLD UNITY

"Make every effort to preserve the unity."
Ephesians 4:3

From prison, Paul pleaded with his Christian brothers and sisters to "livea life worthy" of their calling (Eph 4:1). This meant being humble, meek, long-suffering, and lovingly forbearing (Eph 4:2). This radically different way of life was necessary to preserve and deepen the early Church's unity in the Spirit (Eph 4:3). One very high priority was unity in the body, and the Spirit, and in hope, unity in the Lord, faith, and baptism, and in the God and Father of all (Eph 4:4-6). This sevenfold unity is still necessary for our lives to be worthy of our calling by the Lord.

Jesus is continuing to pray that we be one as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Despite centuries of disunity among the various Christian denominations, despite millions of divorces, despite an almost total disregard for a practical living out of our baptismal brotherhood and sisterhood, despite the utter divisiveness and disunity of sin, the Lord will never change (see Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). He wants us in unity with Him and with each other. We must be united even if we have to die for it, because He already has died for it (Jn 11:51-52).

Repent! Live a worthy, humble life of unity.

Prayer: Father, unite the Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox before theyear 2012.

Promise: "There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father ofall, Who is over all, and works through all, and is in all." —Eph 4:5-6

Praise: St. Anthony not only gave missions himself, he founded theCongregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

(source)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

PEOPLE OF PRAISE

"...a people God has made His own, to praise His glory."
Ephesians 1:14

The world never mentions that people are praising God. By this silence, we might conclude that people don't praise God. However, the reality is that there's a non-stop symphony of praise taking place on earth. Consecrated religious and devout lay people across the globe praise God at least twice daily in the Liturgy of the Hours. Right now, many are praying the Divine Praises in Benediction, Eucharistic Adoration, or private prayer. Many others are praising God in song or with the charismatic gift of tongues. Babies and young children are offering God praise (Mt 21:16; Ps 8:3). Best of all, Holy Masses are offered non-stop throughout the world in praise of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are "predestined to praise" the glory of God (Eph 1:12). God has made us "His own, to praise His glory" (Eph 1:14). Our praises are a foretaste of heaven, when we will be caught up in worship of the Triune God, praising Him "without pause" (Rv 4:8).

Since God has made us a people of praise, let us live out our vocation of praise. "It is fitting to praise Him" (Ps 147:1). "Chant His praises" (Ps 33:2). "Sing praise to His name" (Ps 135:3). Praise God in the morning and in the evening (Ps 92:2-3). Praise the Lord all your life (Ps 145:2). "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Alleluia" (Ps 150:6).

Prayer: Holy Spirit, pour out Your love in the hearts of all believers (Rm 5:5). May "the high praises of God be in their throats" (Ps 149:6). "Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim Your praise" (Ps 51:17).

Promise: "Even the hairs of your head are counted! Fear nothing, then. You are worth more than a flock of sparrows." —Lk 12:7

Praise: St. Ignatius was a bishop of Antioch for forty years before his prayers for martyrdom were answered.

Monday, October 13, 2008

HANDOG NG MISA: Isang Pag-unawa sa Eukaristiya

Note: Sorry for the watermark, it goes with the freeware I used to compress the DVD copy.

THE EUCHARIST, THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN OUR LIVES:

SPIRITUAL WORSHIP AND AUTHENTIC ADORATION

49^th International Eucharistic Congress

Quebec City, Canada 2008

Thursday, June 19 2008

Most Reverend LUIS ANTONIO G. TAGLE, S.T.D.

Bishop of Imus, Philippines

We have come to the part of the Congress devoted to a reflection on the Eucharist, the Life of Christ in our Lives. These past days we have been affirming that the Church lives by the gift of the life of Christ. This essential part of our faith is experience in a unique and special way in the Eucharist where the Church receives again and again the life of Christ to become its very own life. What a wonderful mystery it is to live by the life of Christ. Jesus’ mission is to give his life so that others may live. In John 6:51 he says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” Jesus the Bread of Life is a gift from the Father. Those who eat this Bread, who receive Jesus into their persons, will have life. He will lay down his life, so that others “may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10). Every Eucharist proclaims, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 13:16). Because the life of Christ is oriented towards others, the Church must share this life with the world. The Life of Christ is his gift to the Church that is meant to be the Church’s gift to the world.

In the Eucharist we don’t only receive the life of Christ. Beholding this most precious gift, we are moved as well to worship and adore the Triune God. The Eucharist does not fail to evoke from grateful hearts the worship and adoration that God deserves. But as we worship and adore we realize that it is Jesus who guides us on the way of true worship and adoration. We will dwell on these two elements of living the Eucharist: spiritual worship and authentic adoration. But first let us describe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

...

CLICK HERE to read more