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  The Ascension of the Lord  Acts 1:1-11  Psalm 46(47):2-3,6-9 Ephesians 1:17-23  Matthew 28:16-20 WHERE CHRIST HAS GONE, WE ASPIRE TO FOLLOW  In observing today’s significant feast, we acknowledge multiple aspects, including the profound mystery of Christ. Among these, we particularly recognize the extraordinary and wholly unmerited elevation of our human nature. When Christ was born and assumed our human nature, the union between His divine nature and ours was irrevocable. From that moment, human nature was no longer distant from the divine—separated, cast away, or excluded. At the Ascension, Christ returns to His Father’s throne and takes us with Him, that is, He elevates our human nature to heaven, united with His Divinity within His one Person.  Where He has gone, we aspire to follow, as we are now potentially able to do so. The foundational conditions for this potential were established at the Ascension. Our task now is to actualize this potential thr...
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STRIVE TO EMBODY THE TRUTH AND SHARE THE GOSPEL VALUES CONSISTENTLY

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Wednesday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 17:15,​22-18:1 Psalm 148:1-2,11-14 John 16:12-15 In today’s gospel, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the coming of the Spirit of truth, who will guide them into all truth and reveal to them the things that are to come (John 16:13). Within God, there is no room for falsehood or deception, as He is entirely true, good, merciful and just. As the ultimate source and author of all that is true and good, our proximity to Him—listening to His word and seeking to understand His mind and will—allows us to deepen our knowledge of God and appreciate His profound love, wisdom, and purpose for us. Reflecting on how truth has influenced your life, how objective you are, and whether you strive to embody and share gospel values consistently can be meaningful questions. Today, guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called to proclaim the truth and the message of salvation in Christ Jesus. Let us endeavor to live a life rooted in truth and to share the mess...
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FAITH IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS

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  Tuesday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 16:22-34  Psalm 137(138):1-3,7-8 John 16:5-11 Our faith is often challenged during periods of difficulty and adversity. Such circumstances serve as a measure of the strength of our beliefs and reveal the extent of our trust in God's ability to assist and deliver us.  In the first reading today, Paul and Silas endured persecution, flogging, and subsequent imprisonment. Despite their suffering, they remained steadfast in their faith and, even late at night, engaged in prayer and hymn singing, with other prisoners listening attentively. Remarkably, the other inmates were likely surprised that, despite such dire circumstances, Paul and Silas maintained a positive attitude and showed no signs of despair. The profound truth about faith amid trials is that it enables believers to recognize God's signs and wonders. The faith demonstrated by Paul and Silas manifested God's miracles, resulting in the conversion of the jailer. Durin...
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HOPE IN THE MIDST OF PERSECUTION

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  Monday of the 6th week of Eastertide  Acts 16:11-15  Psalm 149:1-6,9 John 15:26-16:4 The Gospel reading for today recounts Jesus warning his disciples that, "Indeed, the hour is coming when anyone who kills you believes they are performing a holy duty for God." Persecution of Christians has been a persistent phenomenon across various eras and cultures. In contemporary society, there is a growing recognition of hostility towards Christianity, and living as a Christian often necessitates resilience and endurance. Committing to follow Christ involves sacrifice, and sharing the Gospel may require even greater self-denial. When the message of Christ is rejected, it can lead to persecution or martyrdom. It is a misconception to believe that fleeing persecution or avoiding suffering can ultimately guarantee safety. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplifies how to entrust suffering and pain to God through prayer. Prayer enables individuals to listen to God's guidance and t...
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  Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year A)   Acts 8.5-8,  14-17;  Ps 65;   I Pet 3.15-18;   Jn 14.15-21 AGAINST ALL ODDS THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN HELP YOU  Since Easter, we have been contemplating the appearances of our blessed Lord to His disciples following His resurrection. Today, we approach the anticipated moment of His Ascension. In preparation, Christ assures the disciples that although He will depart from them in the flesh, He will not abandon them. On the contrary, He and the Father will send the Holy Spirit to serve as their comforter and guide.  Christ’s earthly mission—revealing the divine reality in a manner comprehensible to those who saw and heard Him—is drawing to a close. The Spirit will now assist in deepening their understanding of the significance and fullness of this divine revelation. One of the central mysteries of this divine revelation is the doctrine of the Trinity: that God, while maintaining His unity, exists as three persons. This t...
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If you love Jesus, the world will oppose you.

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  Saturday of the 5th week of Eastertide  Acts 16:1-10 · Psalm 99(100):1-3,5 John 15:18-21 Christians are called to be in the world but not of it. While Christians are known for love, the world is defined by hatred and evil. No matter what we do, the world will always hate us. This hostility begins the moment we love and obey Christ. When we refuse to accept sinful and selfish ways, we are rejected by the world. Such hatred exists because we love Jesus and manifests through trials, tribulations, suffering, persecution, threats, mockery, malice, and oppression. The enemy's goal is to kill, steal, and destroy. We are consistently hated by evil because we love Jesus. As Christians, we must resolutely choose to side with the Lord by upholding His commandments of love. Truth is eternal and will actively seek out those who oppose it as light is to darkness. Live according to the Scriptures, be guided by the Holy Spirit daily, and spread the word of God wherever you go. Step bey...
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  Friday of the 5th week of Eastertide  Acts 15:22-31  Psalm 56(57):8-12 John 15:12-17 God chooses us as friends so that we may follow in His footsteps.  In today’s gospel, Jesus tells His disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you." As the Son of God, Jesus intentionally chose His own disciples, knowing our hearts and minds. Around the world, students typically seek out masters or teachers of their choosing and form connections with them. Yet, Christ’s disciples did not initiate this relationship; instead, Christ took the initiative because He chose us as friends. Through this friendship, He has revealed to us the kingdom of Heaven. Each of us is called to love as Christ loves. This means that our primary goal is to live authentically and actively out His life in the places where He leads us. Genuine love requires obedience and sacrifice. Obedience demonstrates our true connection to God and our understanding of His sacrificial love for us and all humanity. ...
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