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Showing posts with the label Reflections

God's Transforming Love - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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The love of God is not simply an abstract idea, a distant concept, or a fleeting emotion—it is the most profound force that transforms, heals, and makes whole. The entirety of salvation history, from the creation of humanity to the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, points to this love, which seeks to restore the fallen, renew the broken, and draw all creation into divine life. In this reflection, we will explore the nature of God's transforming love, grounding it in Scripture, Catechesis, and Church teaching, while reflecting on its impact on the human heart. The Divine Initiative: God’s Love in Creation From the beginning, God's love is the source of all creation. The Book of Genesis recounts how God spoke the universe into existence, creating the world out of love and calling it good (cf. Genesis 1:31). Humanity, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Genesis 1:27), is the pinnacle of this divine act. It is here that we first glimpse the profound dignity and value that G

The Triumph of Love: Reflecting on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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 Every year on September 14, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a solemn reminder of the profound mystery of our salvation. On this day, we are invited not only to honor the instrument of Christ’s victory but also to reflect on its deep meaning in our daily lives. The cross is often seen as a symbol of suffering and defeat, yet in Christianity, it becomes the sign of ultimate triumph and love. The Gospel of John tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The cross is not just an emblem of Christ's sacrifice; it is the means by which salvation was made available to all of humanity. The Cross: The Throne of God’s Love In the eyes of the world, the cross was an object of shame and humiliation. Jesus, the Messiah, was crucified—a form of execution reserved for criminals. But what the world saw as defeat was, in fact, God's great act of redemptio

Understanding Practical Liturgy: Connecting Faith and Everyday Life - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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Introduction Liturgy, in its broadest sense, is the official public worship of the Church. It is through the liturgy that the faithful participate in the mystery of Christ, especially in the sacraments. However, there's an aspect of liturgy that often goes unnoticed but is crucial for a vibrant Christian life: practical liturgy. This concept goes beyond the formal structure of worship and connects the liturgical celebrations with our daily lives. Practical liturgy emphasizes how we live out the grace we receive in the sacraments and apply the teachings of the Church in our everyday actions. What is Practical Liturgy? Practical liturgy refers to the lived experience of the liturgy outside the church walls. It is how the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacraments, and the liturgical seasons influence our daily decisions, relationships, and actions. It's about making the liturgy a lived reality, where the sacredness of worship flows into every aspect of our lives. This concept i

Be Vigilant and Prepared - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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"And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour." - Matthew 25:13 In the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were unprepared. The wise ones brought enough oil for their lamps, while the others ran out. When the bridegroom arrived at an unexpected hour, those without oil were left scrambling, and it was too late for them to enter the wedding feast. The lesson of this parable is clear: we do not know the exact time of the Lord's coming, so we must always be ready. But instead of worrying or being anxious, this readiness should bring us peace and joy. Being ready does not mean we are always anxious or fearful, but that we are happy and content in our relationship with God, knowing that whatever happens, He is with us. The "watchfulness" that Jesus speaks of is a reminder to keep our lamps burning—not to wear us out, but to show the light of our f

"Taking a Stand for the Truth" - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 In the Gospel of Mark, we witness the story of the death of St. John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod. This narrative presents a profound conflict—a struggle between truth and falsehood, between good and evil. John the Baptist is a portrait of courage and steadfastness in the face of lies and wickedness. He was unafraid to speak out against the wrongdoings of Herod and Herodias, even at the cost of his life. The first lesson we can draw from this story is the importance of standing firm in the truth. It is easy to turn a blind eye and remain silent when the truth is being suppressed, but a true follower of Christ is called to stand up against evil. John the Baptist stood firm even though he knew it might cost him his life. Our commitment to the truth should be the same in our own time. In the face of challenges—corruption, lies, false teachings, and immoral living—we are called to be the light and salt of the world. Secondly,

Pagtanggap o Pagtalikod" August 25, 2024, 21st Week in Ordinary Time Gospel: John 6:60-69

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 ðŸ’«✨ Pagtanggap o Pagtalikod ✨💫 ✨"Sumagot si Simon Pedro, “Panginoon, kanino pa po kami pupunta? Nasa inyo ang mga salitang nagbibigay ng buhay na walang hanggan." - Juan 6:68✨ #Eukaristiya #Pananampalataya #Pagtitiwala #SakramentongBuhay #PagsunodKayCristo #TinapayNgBuhay #Pagninilay #KatotohanangDiMatitinag

Memorial of the Queenship of Mary - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

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Sa ating pag-alaala sa Pagiging Reyna ni Maria tayo’y binibigyan ng pagkakataon na magnilay sa isang malalim na misteryo ng ating pananampalataya: ang pagkilala kay Maria bilang Reyna ng Langit at Lupa. Marami ang nagugulat sa pahayag na ito, partikular na ang mga hindi Katoliko, na minsang nagsasabing ito’y labis o walang batayan sa Bibliya. Ngunit ang katotohanan, ang karangalang ito ay hindi lamang isang tradisyon na walang laman; ito’y may ugat sa kasulatan, teolohiya, at pagkilala sa dakilang papel ni Maria sa plano ng Diyos para sa kaligtasan ng sangkatauhan. Ang Papel ni Maria sa Plano ng Kaligtasan Ang pagkilala kay Maria bilang Reyna ay hindi nagsisimula sa kanya, kundi sa kanyang Anak na si Hesus. Si Hesus ay Hari, hindi lamang dahil Siya’y Diyos, kundi dahil Siya’y mula sa lahi ni David, isang hari na pinangakuan ng Diyos na ang kanyang kaharian ay magpapatuloy magpakailanman (2 Samuel 7:16). Sa sinaunang Israel, ang ina ng hari—ang “Gebirah” o Reyna Ina—ay may natatanging k