First reading
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Numbers 6:22-27
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The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,
‘The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.'”
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.'”
Second reading
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Galatians 4:4-7
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But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
Gospel
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Luke 2:16-21
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So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Reflection
by Gary Tulabut
Since the time I and my friends relaunched Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family’s prayer meeting, The FEAST, in Angeles City in 2015, it has always been our dream to make it into a live FEAST held in a cinema or auditorium.
We started with playing the videos of Bro. Bo Sanchez’s talks and playing mp4 videos for our praise and worship. We’ve changed venues from an office, to a restobar (no kidding), to an inn.
Many things have improved after four years. For example, we now play a live band composed of youngsters. I, for one, together with another co-servant, have learned how to lead worship, something that was not even in my wildest imagination back then. But our biggest accomplishments of course come in the form of new friendships and touched lives, which is what discipleship is all about.
But somehow, we still feel the frustration that after four years, we are still far from our dream to start with.
Until…
Just last Saturday, the district head of LOJ North and Central Luzon met with our core group of servants with the announcement that we can already start to deliver live talks.
When can we start?
As early as possible, whenever we are ready.
How soon can we use the talk series topics used by Bro. Bo and other Feast preachers in Manila?
As soon as the next week after they’re delivered in Manila.
And guess what, I will be one of the speakers (yeah, I don’t want to use the word preacher yet).
Mama Mary, since the time she was visited by Angel Gabriel who announced her role in God’s plans for our salvation, has been an obedient child of God. Without knowing what might be the consequences of her big YES, she just trusted God. She did not plan for that. She did not aspire for that. And she did not expect that to happen to her.
We at the Feast Angeles do not know what is in store for us for this big news delivered to us by our angel in the person of our district head. We dreamed for it, yes. But it came at a time we least expected it to happen. Personally for me, it also came at a not-so-favorable time as I am planning (required rather) to continue my masters studies this coming January.
I was not the only one who had mixed reactions by this wonderful announcement. And like Mama Mary, my whole team said YES to the challenges each of us has for face this coming 2019.
We know this is God’s plan. And if it’s God’s plan, He’ll provide the resources. We just have to trust, be humble, and be obedient. We looked forward to this. We prayed for this. And now our prayer is answered. And to quote our district head, “Exciting times ahead!”
We started with playing the videos of Bro. Bo Sanchez’s talks and playing mp4 videos for our praise and worship. We’ve changed venues from an office, to a restobar (no kidding), to an inn.
Many things have improved after four years. For example, we now play a live band composed of youngsters. I, for one, together with another co-servant, have learned how to lead worship, something that was not even in my wildest imagination back then. But our biggest accomplishments of course come in the form of new friendships and touched lives, which is what discipleship is all about.
But somehow, we still feel the frustration that after four years, we are still far from our dream to start with.
Until…
Just last Saturday, the district head of LOJ North and Central Luzon met with our core group of servants with the announcement that we can already start to deliver live talks.
When can we start?
As early as possible, whenever we are ready.
How soon can we use the talk series topics used by Bro. Bo and other Feast preachers in Manila?
As soon as the next week after they’re delivered in Manila.
And guess what, I will be one of the speakers (yeah, I don’t want to use the word preacher yet).
Mama Mary, since the time she was visited by Angel Gabriel who announced her role in God’s plans for our salvation, has been an obedient child of God. Without knowing what might be the consequences of her big YES, she just trusted God. She did not plan for that. She did not aspire for that. And she did not expect that to happen to her.
We at the Feast Angeles do not know what is in store for us for this big news delivered to us by our angel in the person of our district head. We dreamed for it, yes. But it came at a time we least expected it to happen. Personally for me, it also came at a not-so-favorable time as I am planning (required rather) to continue my masters studies this coming January.
I was not the only one who had mixed reactions by this wonderful announcement. And like Mama Mary, my whole team said YES to the challenges each of us has for face this coming 2019.
We know this is God’s plan. And if it’s God’s plan, He’ll provide the resources. We just have to trust, be humble, and be obedient. We looked forward to this. We prayed for this. And now our prayer is answered. And to quote our district head, “Exciting times ahead!”
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us the opportunity to work for Your kingdom on earth. May we truly perform the task Your Son Jesus commissioned us to do, that is, to make disciples of all peoples.
Mama Mary, thank you for inspiring us with your trust, humility, and obedience. Pray for us as we welcome the New Year and always. Amen.
Mama Mary, thank you for inspiring us with your trust, humility, and obedience. Pray for us as we welcome the New Year and always. Amen.
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