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HOMILY | Second Sunday of Lent
February 25, 2024
This Holy Mass is celebrated via online and presided by the Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD (Missionary to SVDPH Central Province/ SVD Mission β Superior Delegatus and Vocation Promoter) at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word at Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City.
For FULL REPLY of the Holy Mass, click here https://youtube.com/live/iYns9Wn08fo?...
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Question: Why should 70plusyearold people use valet parking?
Answer: Because they often forget where they parked their car.
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In todayβs Gospel (Mark 9:210), Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He was transfigured before their very eyes. Jesus gave them a memorable religious experience so that they will never forget the reality of Godβs presence, power, and love. Today, remember a moment, or moments when God manifested Himself to you in a very personal way. May it be a renewing experience for you.
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My first significant and lifechanging religious experience happened during my Novitiate in the context of a prayer meeting where I felt the Lord embracing me and loving me unconditionally as a Father. It was such a joyful, liberating, and assuring moment that made me realize, accept, and remember the reality of Godβs tremendous love.
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A religious experience is a gift at the βmountain topβ that we bring with us when we go back to the dark valleys in our journey. The Lord will remind us again and again, of our βone moment in timeβ with Him, and at opportune times, He will reveal Himself to us, again and again so that we do not lose our way.
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Transfiguration moments happen wherever and whenever God manifests Himself to us, be it in silence, in ecstasy, or in sickness, suffering, pain, separation, or deprivations. God speaks to us always and in all ways. Let us listen to Him.
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How do we listen?
L Lower your noise. You cannot listen if you are not silent. Being silent makes us mindful of the presence of God and other people in our lives. All too often, our noise and chatter are all about I, me, and myself.
I Increase Godβs voice. God speaks to us always and in all ways, but we cannot hear Him because we do not, or we care not to listen to Him. The call of nature and the call of earthly treasures is often stronger than the call of the Master. Like Samuel we pray: βSpeak, Lord, for your servant is listening.β (Samuel 3:910)
S Search your heart. Take time to focus not only on the works, the tasks, the achievements of your hands, but also on the love in your heart. Are you a better person, are you closer to God now than you were a year ago? What are you doing for the rest of your life? Like the Psalmist, we pray: βLord, You search me and You know me, all my thoughts lie open to Your gaze β¦β (Psalm 139)
T Tame your pride. When you come before God like a child, you begin to realize that there is a God, and youβre not Him. When you lower your pride, you can see the beauty in you, deep inside and the people around you outside. When you come before your Master as a servant, you report for duty, you take orders from Someone greater than you.
E Ease your mind. When you lay down your sword before the Lord, you can hear Him say to you: βCome to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest.β (Matthew 11:28)
N Neutralize your issues. When you listen to God, you realize that He is the great Healer, the great Provider, who shows the way, and who makes the way, for He Himself is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. βTrust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.β (Proverbs 3:5)
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Remember, it pays to listen to the Lord. Take time to listen to the Lord. βIf today you hear His voice, harden not your heart.β (Hebrews 3:15)
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A moment with the Lord.
Lord, help us to truly listen to You always and in all ways. Amen.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (MOMENTS by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD)
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God bless you, and Mama Mary loves you!
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May the Holy Triune God β the Omnipotence of the Father, the Wisdom of the Son, and the Love of the Holy Spirit β be known, loved and praised by all people.β (St. Arnold Janssen)
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