Weekly Guidelines
Read this week's guidelines and be nourished as you journey with our Community in Cebu.
 Walking with Mary in this path of holinessWeek 4 November 23 – November 29, 2020 Theme: The Holy Spirit bestows holiness in abundance among God’s holy and faithful people. General Objective: To live our greatest calling as prophets next door. Orientation: Our humble, daily conversion in the faithful following of Jesus, will mean that this experience is repeated and continues, despite the weaknesses of our human condition, in order to entrust ourselves more and more each day to the certain love of Him in whom we have put our faith and absolute confidence. Specific Objective: To seek for Mary’s accompaniment in bringing the Truth to others.
MONDAY (St. Clement I & St. Columban) Hebrews 2:11 “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” Gaudete et Exultate#31. We need a spirit of holiness capable of filling both our solitude and our service, our personal life and our evangelizing efforts, so that every moment can be an expression of self-sacrificing love in the Lord’s eyes. In this way, every minute of our lives can be a step along the path to growth in holiness. How are you as an instrument of bringing others to the truth? TUESDAY (St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions) Luke 21:8 Jesus said, “Watch out; don't be fooled. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don't follow them. VD STATUTES # 26 Following Jesus necessarily means abandoning our criteria and our plans for ever: his ways are not my ways, his thoughts are not my thoughts. Is Mary’s presence in your missionary journey aiding you to follow His ways with perseverance? WEDNESDAY (St. Catherine of Alexandria) Rev.15:3-4 “Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds! King of the nations, how right and true are your ways! Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all.” Eph.6:14-15 14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. How did you collaborate with Mary in bringing Christ to others? THURSDAY (Blessed James Alberione) GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE # 13 “Each in his or her own way” the Council says. We should not grow discouraged before examples of holiness that appear unattainable. There are some testimonies that may prove helpful and inspiring, but that we are not meant to copy, for that could even lead us astray from the one specific path that the Lord has in mind for us. The important thing is that each believer discern his or her own path, that they bring out the very best of themselves, the most personal gifts that God has placed in their hearts (cf. 1 Cor 12:7), rather than hopelessly trying to imitate something not meant for them. We are all called to be witnesses, but there are many actual ways of bearing witness. Indeed, when the great mystic, Saint John of the Cross, wrote his Spiritual Canticle, he preferred to avoid hard and fast rules for all. He explained that his verses were composed so that everyone could benefit from them “in his or her own way”. For God’s life is communicated “to some in one way and to others in another”. Verbum Domini #27. Indeed, what the understanding of the faith has enabled us to know about Mary stands at the heart of Christian truth. The incarnation of the word cannot be conceived apart from the freedom of this young woman who by her assent decisively cooperated with the entrance of the eternal into time. Mary is the image of the Church in attentive hearing of the word of God, which took flesh in her. Mary also symbolizes openness to God and others; an active listening which interiorizes and assimilates, one in which the word becomes a way of life. Are you convince that like Mary, you have been called to be a witness to the truth? FRIDAY (St. Valerian) Luke 21:34-36 “Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth. Be on watch and pray always that you will have the strength to go safely through all those things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” Evangelii Gaudium #286 … As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surround us with God’s love. Through her many titles, often linked to her shrines, Mary shares the history of each people which has received the Gospel and she becomes a part of their historic identity…As she did with Juan Diego, Mary offers them maternal comfort and love, and whispers in their ear: “Let your heart not be troubled… Am I not here, who am your Mother?” Do you call on Mary to accompany and teach you in being a bearer of the Truth? SATURDAY (St. Andrew Trong) Rev 14:12 “Here is what sustains the holy ones who keep God’s commandments and their faith in Jesus.” GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE # 13 This should excite and encourage us to give our all and to embrace that unique plan that God willed for each of us from eternity: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you” (Jer 1:5). Like Mary, are you seeking for endurance and embracing the challenges of the mission? 1st Sunday of Advent 1st Reading : Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 80: 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9 Gospel: Mark 13: 33-37 |
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