The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as people make merry when dividing spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God- Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. He will rule as David’s successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and with- out blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to
himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.
He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.
Reflection
By Gary Tulabut
On New Year’s Day, I shared with you the little milestones of our charismatic community, The Feast, in Angeles City. Well, it took us almost four years before we are finally going live (from using video talks). Among the many reasons for this delay was the disobedience of the servants. I am no exemption.
Some time between our launch in 2015 and in 2018, we were given a direction to split up and form smaller groups; once those smaller groups start growing, we have to split them again into smaller groups of around five attendees; and so on until we have enough smaller groups, put them together, and launch one big prayer meeting with live talks.
But we did not obey. We were too comfortable with one another that we did not split up. We felt that everything that we have already accomplished will be put to waste. There were many other reasons for our objections. But we kept our slowly growing group.
Although some of us did our best to start other group on the side. Still, that’s not splitting up. And they did not grow.
Later did we know that all those times, we were being tested. And we failed. Big time. That is why we are still a small group up to now.
Well, we have learned our lessons. I’ve learned my lessons…the hard way. Now, we submit ourselves to obedience first before complaining. We humble ourselves as we acknowledge that we are not better than our mentors.
Even our Lord Jesus, in today’s Gospel, submitted Himself to obedience that He grew in wisdom in the favor of God and the people.
We grow in wisdom through obedience. And we gain favor from both God and man.
On New Year’s Day, I shared with you the little milestones of our charismatic community, The Feast, in Angeles City. Well, it took us almost four years before we are finally going live (from using video talks). Among the many reasons for this delay was the disobedience of the servants. I am no exemption.
Some time between our launch in 2015 and in 2018, we were given a direction to split up and form smaller groups; once those smaller groups start growing, we have to split them again into smaller groups of around five attendees; and so on until we have enough smaller groups, put them together, and launch one big prayer meeting with live talks.
But we did not obey. We were too comfortable with one another that we did not split up. We felt that everything that we have already accomplished will be put to waste. There were many other reasons for our objections. But we kept our slowly growing group.
Although some of us did our best to start other group on the side. Still, that’s not splitting up. And they did not grow.
Later did we know that all those times, we were being tested. And we failed. Big time. That is why we are still a small group up to now.
Well, we have learned our lessons. I’ve learned my lessons…the hard way. Now, we submit ourselves to obedience first before complaining. We humble ourselves as we acknowledge that we are not better than our mentors.
Even our Lord Jesus, in today’s Gospel, submitted Himself to obedience that He grew in wisdom in the favor of God and the people.
We grow in wisdom through obedience. And we gain favor from both God and man.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the people You send us to help us grow in wisdom. We’re sorry for our disobedience. We ask Your forgiveness. Amen.
Lord, thank You for the people You send us to help us grow in wisdom. We’re sorry for our disobedience. We ask Your forgiveness. Amen.
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