This document provides materials for a Bible study on the 2nd Sunday of Lent including commentary and reflections on the readings. The first reading recounts God's call to Abram to leave his homeland and God's promises to make him a great nation. The psalm affirms God's protection for those who trust in him. The second reading encourages Timothy to endure hardship in spreading the gospel with strength from God. The gospel reading describes the transfiguration of Jesus which was meant to strengthen the disciples for the difficulties to come. The reflections examine how Christians can draw strength in times of crisis through religious experiences of God's presence and support from community as depicted in the readings.
This Sunday\'s 2nd Lent A readings are attached prepared a la Bible Study by an exegete, Rev. Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM - brought to you by AMBA & Big.
This Sunday\'s 2nd Lent A readings are attached prepared a la Bible Study by an exegete, Rev. Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM - brought to you by AMBA & Big.
Dear sisters and brothers,
If you have no sense of sin, maybe you have not yet encountered the Lord, the Holy One. You will never be transformed.
Fr. Cielo
Dear sisters and brothers,
The Lord manifests himself to us. We can find him if we seek him together through the life and mission of our Church.
Fr. Cielo
This is a lesson in the Crossroads programme, a discipleship programme written by Dr Kevin Smith and offered by the South African Theological Seminary. This lesson is about the Deity and Humanity of Christ.
Dear sisters and brothers,
Let us learn what vigilance means in this Season of Advent, in order to have a meaningful celebration of Christmas.
Fr. Cielo
Dear sisters and brothers,
If you are always trying to please people even if they are erring, you are not a prophet. Speak out God's message even it hurts.
Fr. Cielo
The inverse English vowel version of the Inductive Bible Study Method -- urge, observe, interpret, empathize, and apply. Observe with 8 kinds of questions -- 7 W's and 1 H. Interpret with 8 C's.
Dear sisters and brothers,
If you have no sense of sin, maybe you have not yet encountered the Lord, the Holy One. You will never be transformed.
Fr. Cielo
Dear sisters and brothers,
The Lord manifests himself to us. We can find him if we seek him together through the life and mission of our Church.
Fr. Cielo
This is a lesson in the Crossroads programme, a discipleship programme written by Dr Kevin Smith and offered by the South African Theological Seminary. This lesson is about the Deity and Humanity of Christ.
Dear sisters and brothers,
Let us learn what vigilance means in this Season of Advent, in order to have a meaningful celebration of Christmas.
Fr. Cielo
Dear sisters and brothers,
If you are always trying to please people even if they are erring, you are not a prophet. Speak out God's message even it hurts.
Fr. Cielo
The inverse English vowel version of the Inductive Bible Study Method -- urge, observe, interpret, empathize, and apply. Observe with 8 kinds of questions -- 7 W's and 1 H. Interpret with 8 C's.
In Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 we are told that whatever is bound in heaven, we can bind on earth and whatever is loosed in heaven, we can loose on earth. The Greek word translated "bind" also means knit, tie and wrap.
Jesus commented on the need for binding evil in Matt 12:29. Jesus explained that we must first bind the strongman before we can plunder his house. When we are facing an evil stronghold in life, we must first use our inherited authority as children of God to bind the evil forces involved. After that, we can loose, or call forth God's plans for restoration.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matt 18:18-20 NIV)
When we bind something, we declare it unlawful (or evil) based on God's word. Because we stand as co-heirs in Jesus Christ, we have his authority to execute this judgment on the forces of evil (Psalm 149:5-9).
A sermon on Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17. This sermon was delivered by Dale Wells at the Palm Desert Church of Christ (California) on November 2, 2008.
An updated version of the introduction to our "Growing Deep in the Gospel" series. These are the notes that we handed out after the teaching. This handout is European sized.
Dear brothers and sisters,
We are commissioned to communicate God's salvific message. If you are quiet about God's Word, think again your Christian vocation, because you are not doing well.
Fr. Cielo
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
1. Welcome to our Bible Study
2nd Sunday of Lent A
16 March 2014
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
2. 1 reading: Genesis 12:1-4
st
1
The LORD said to Abram: "Go forth from
the land of your kinsfolk and from your
father's house to a land that I will show
you. 2 "I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you; I will make your name
great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I
will bless those who bless you and curse
those who curse you. All the communities
of the earth shall find blessing in you." 4
Abram went as the LORD directed him.
The focus is on God’s blessing to Abram.
3. 1st reading: Genesis 12:1-4
1 The LORD said to
Abram: "Go forth
from the land of
your kinsfolk and
from your father's
house to a land that
I will show you. 2 "I
will make of you a
great nation, and I
will bless you; I will
make your name
great, so that you
will be a blessing. 3
I will bless those
who bless you and
curse those who
curse you. All the
communities of the
earth shall find
blessing in you." 4
Abram went as the
LORD directed him.
Commentary
Gen 12 starts the story of the Patriarchs (Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob).
The reading tells us about
In v. 1, the Lord asks Abram to leave Haran (Northwest
of Mesopotamia) and go to Canaan.
Vv.2-3 speak of God’s promises to Abram
God ordering Abram (Abraham later) to move to an
unknown place,
his promises to him and
Abram’s obedience.
to make him a great nation (not just a small clan)
to make his name great (to make him famous)
Blessing here is synonymous to having many
descendants (a great nation).
The blessing mentioned in Gen 1 (1st creation story)
continues with Abram.
God’s purpose for Abram: to be a blessing (to be a
source of blessing)
V.4 affirms the obedience of Abram.
4. Reflections on the 1 reading
st
Like
Abram, we should listen, believe and obey
God.
Like Abram, we start our life story and history
with God.
Our life should be a story of a journey of faith in
God, who calls us to share in his life.
We cannot reach our destiny, attain God’s
purpose in us, if we don’t listen and obey God.
We, too, are called to become sources of
blessings to other people.
5. Resp. Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in
you.
4 Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
5 He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
18 See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
19 To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
22 May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
6. Resp. Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be
on us, as we place our trust in
you.
4 Upright is the word of the
LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
5 He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the
earth is full.
18 See, the eyes of the LORD are
upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his
kindness,
19 To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of
famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
22 May your kindness, O LORD,
be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
Commentary:
V.4 reflects Abram’s response to
God.
V.5 affirms God’s values: justice,
righteousness. It also affirms God’s
trait: he is kind.
Vv.18-19 affirm that God takes care
of those who fear him and hope in
him. He saves and preserves them
from death.
In v.20, the psalmist affirms God’s
protection.
In v.22, the psalmist prays that God
may be kind (be gracious, give
favor) to those who trust and hope
in him.
7. Reflections on the Psalm
We,
Christians, must learn how to trust in God.
Like the psalmist, we must be able to affirm
God’s goodness to us.
We must pray to God affirming his kindness and
mercy to us.
All the more we should do this, when we are in
crisis, when our lives are threatened and when
our friends have abandoned us.
8. 2 reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
nd
8
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with
the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved
us and called us to a holy life, not according to
our works but according to his own design and
the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before
time began, 10 but now made manifest through
the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who
destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.
The focus is on bearing the hardship…
9. 2 reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
nd
Commentary
8 Bear your share of
hardship for the gospel Paul (not really the author) encourages Timothy to
carry his responsibility as the leader and shepherd
with the strength that
of the Church (in Ephesus).
comes from God. 9 He
saved us and called us Proclaiming the gospel is not an easy task, but he
must do it with the power that comes from God. v.8
to a holy life, not
according to our works V.9 acknowledges God’s wondrous deeds to us:
He saves us.
but according to his
He calls us to a holy life.
own design and the
grace bestowed on us God’s salvation and call are made possible through
in Christ Jesus before
Jesus Christ.
time began, 10 but
God has made Jesus Christ his instrument in
now made manifest
saving us and in bestowing his grace, which was
once hidden, but now made known through the
through the
same Christ.
appearance of our
Christ is known as the one who destroys death and
savior Christ Jesus,
brings life through the gospel.
who destroyed death
Timothy has to work hard to spread the gospel
and brought life and
because it is through it that salvation and life come
immortality to light
to us.
through the gospel.
10. Reflections on the 2 reading
nd
To be God’s minister is not an easy job.
To engage in missionary work, to give witness to God,
one must have the strength (vocation) that comes from
God.
We, Christians, lay and religious, like Timothy, are called
to evangelize and make people holy and send them to
heaven.
We should be willing to suffer (endure all things, to make
sacrifices) for the sake of the gospel.
Are you engaged in spreading the gospel?
Do you have the courage and stamina to carry out your
mission?
11. Gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Going up
1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and
led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Transfiguration
2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and
Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 4 Then Peter said to
Jesus in reply, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will
make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Voice from God
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow
over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
Reaction of the disciples
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very
much afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and
do not be afraid." 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they
saw no one else but Jesus alone. The focus is on the transfiguration.
Coming down
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them,
"Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised
12. Gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Going up
1 After six days Jesus
took Peter, James, and
John his brother, and led
them up a high mountain
by themselves.
Transfiguration
2 And he was transfigured
before them; his face
shone like the sun and his
clothes became white as
light. 3 And behold,
Moses and Elijah
appeared to them,
conversing with him. 4
Then Peter said to Jesus
in reply, "Lord, it is good
that we are here. If you
wish, I will make three
tents here, one for you,
one for Moses, and one
for Elijah."
Commentary
V.1 provides the setting of the
transfiguration: high mountain, with Peter,
James and John
In v.2, Jesus is transfigured (transformed,
metamorphosed) without any warning.
The transfiguration is vividly described as:
The transfiguration cannot be ignored. It
has a big impact on the apostles.
V.3 adds more characters in the story:
His face shining like the sun (very bright)
His clothes becoming white as light.
Moses (who represents the Torah)
Elijah (who represents the Prophets)
In v.4, Peter offers to make 3 tents for
them.
The sight gives him a good feeling. He
finds himself in the right place. He wants
to prolong the experience.
13. Gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Voice from God
5 While he was still
speaking, behold, a bright
cloud cast a shadow over
them, then from the cloud
came a voice that said,
"This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him."
Reaction of the disciples
6 When the disciples
heard this, they fell
prostrate and were very
much afraid. 7 But Jesus
came and touched them,
saying, "Rise, and do not
be afraid." 8 And when
the disciples raised their
eyes, they saw no one
else but Jesus alone.
V.5 interrupts Peter’s proposal.
Another bonus for Peter and the other
apostles:
V.6 indicates the reaction of the
disciples.
A bright cloud casts a shadow…
A voice that says, “This is my beloved
Son…”
They prostrate and are afraid (a
reaction to the encounter with the
sacred).
In v.7, Jesus comes and touches them
(another bonus).
In v.8, the disciples are back to the
normal state.
Unknowingly, the disciples were also
transformed.
14. Gospel reading: Matthew 17:1-9
Coming down
9 As they were
coming down from the
mountain, Jesus
charged them, "Do
not tell the vision to
anyone until the Son
of Man has been
raised from the dead."
V.9 closes what has been started in v.1.
V.9 speaks of Jesus and the apostles
coming down the mountain.
In v.9, Jesus commands the disciples to
keep the vision secret until his
resurrection.
In the transfiguration story, Jesus
announces his resurrection.
The apostles at this moment do not know
what is going to happen.
They are asked not to say anything until
the picture of Jesus is totally completed at
Mt. Calvary.
15. Reflections on the gospel reading
In one way or another, we, too, experience the
transfiguration of Jesus.
We see Jesus transfigured in his Word and the
Eucharist.
We hear the voice of God in our liturgy.
We feel the joy of being one with him by receiving him
in Holy Communion.
This religious and spiritual experience should
strengthen us as we carry our daily crosses.
Have you ever had a faith experience (when you felt God
was truly present in you)?
16. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
The first reading is about the obedient Abram. Through
Abram, other peoples will be blessed (strengthened).
The psalm affirms God who saves and gives strength.
The second reading is about Timothy who needs
encouragement / strengthening in order to carry out the
word of evangelization.
The gospel reading is about the transfiguration that
should strengthen the disciples, when they will be put
into a crisis at the moment of his crucifixion and death.
17. How to develop your homily / sharing
Describe
yourself when you are in a crisis.
You
are confused.
You commit a series of errors.
You misjudge.
You are discouraged.
You become lazy and don’t want to work anymore.
The
readings teach us where to draw strength
to cope with crisis situations.
There is no such thing as life without crisis or
sufferings.
18.
In the gospel, the transfiguration of Jesus is an
unexpected gift of Jesus to his disciples who will soon
face bigger difficulties.
The transfiguration gives the apostles a taste of who he
really is and what is in store for them.
Embedded in the story of the transfiguration is the
prediction of Jesus’ suffering and death (and resurrection).
We need to have a deep religious experience to be
strong in our faith.
We can have that if we are prayerful and we are always
in journey with Jesus.
19.
In the second reading, Paul tries to “transfigure” Timothy,
a church leader who is tasked to shepherd his flock.
Paul encourages Timothy to willingly take up his
responsibility as an evangelizer.
Timothy has to bear the burden of transmitting the
gospel traditions.
He has to prepare others to take over his place just like
how Paul (the imprisoned) has prepared him.
We need words of encouragement from authorities, from
those who are above us.
We cannot survive long if we work all by ourselves,
without recognizing those who empowered us and
without considering those who will continue our work.
20.
In the first reading, we have here a man who quietly
obeys God.
Abram, though already weak and old, begins with a
journey to an unknown land, banking on and carrying with
him God’s promises.
The belief that God will fulfill his promises is what makes
him move on.
This encourages him to leave his homeland and to settle
down in Canaan.
The unknown future becomes the dream of old Abram.
Abram will have children, land and blessings.
God will do something to overcome Sarai’s sterility and
old age.
We can embark on a long journey, in spite of our fragility,
if we cooperate with the grace of God.
God’s big promises will not come easy.
21. Do
we easily get discouraged in the face of trials
and difficulties?
In this season of Lent, the transfiguration of Jesus
should encourage us, like the apostles, to
continue journeying in our faith.
It should make us cling to Jesus in times of
troubles.
We must take Abram as a good example, who
believes in God’s promises.
He moves away from his comfort zone in order to
pursue God’s promises.
He believes that God will keep his promises.
Abram is patient.
22. Paul
encourages Timothy to take up the burden
of spreading the gospel because it will bear fruit.
No effort exerted will be wasted.
Jesus is our best example.
To return to God in glory, Jesus had to embrace
passion and death.
Glorification, as previewed in his transfiguration,
is only attained through the way of the cross.
Do you want to share in his glory? Follow his
footsteps.
23. If
we want (or if we are called) to take leadership
in the Church and do great things for God, we
must have faith in God, like Abram.
And we must be ready to suffer and die for him,
like Jesus.
In the Church, even if we are all baptized, there
are some people who will not like us or agree
with us.
There will be people who are mean to us.
24. The
eucharist is the sacrament of
encouragement in which Jesus assures us,
who believe, that everything will be fine, after
our ordeals.
The eucharist makes us productive, heals our
sterility, our paralysis and is a source of
blessings.
The eucharist is God’s fulfillment of his
promise to give us eternal life.
25. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Demoralization
Disillusionment
No
more energy
Giving up, not
continuing the
struggle
Not willing to suffer
Hopelessness
Desperation
Good
counselors
Social transformation
Willing to suffer and
make sacrifices
Willing to take insults
Hopeful
Alay Kapwa
26. Suggested Songs
It’s
Time to Prepare (preparation of gifts)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIandBaBMck
I
Love You All (communion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxaP-9mLXCE
Pananagutan (recessional)
27. Signs of the Time
Uprising
in Libya, return of OFWs to the
Philippines
Earthquake, tsunami and explosions in
nuclear plants in Japan