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HOMILY | Fourth Sunday of Lent/ Laetare Sunday
March 10, 2024

This Holy Mass is celebrated via online and presided by the Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD (Missionary to SVDPH Central Province/ SVD Mission – Superior Delegatus and Vocation Promoter) at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word at Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City.

For FULL REPLY of the Holy Mass, click here https://youtube.com/live/5o_Y2XAc7W4

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The story is told about two friends sharing about their wives. The first one said: “My wife complains that I talk too much”. The other one said: “My wife says that I only have two faults: I don’t listen, and … I forgot the second one.”

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In today’s Gospel (John 3: 1421) we read the most important line in the whole Bible: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” A beautiful message which we often forget! Our fault is that we talk too much, we do not listen enough, and so, we forget how much God loves us.

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TALK LESS. All too often, we come before God, and we right away pour out our agenda, and unload our petitions and complaints. We end up dictating to God what we want, and informing Him of our projects and plans. We must learn to come before the presence of God with humility, love, and trust. “Speak, Lord! Your servant is listening.” (Samuel 3, 910) When we come before God, let us not forget that we are servants, and we come first, not to talk but to listen to Him.

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LISTEN MORE. If we listen long, and hard enough, God’s message of love will sink deep into our hearts. The problem is, we shortly and hardly listen. And if we do listen, we often listen just with our ears, and not with our hearts. Let us not forget to listen with obedient hearts. “If only you had listened to My commands! The blessings would have flowed for you like a stream that never goes dry.” (Isaiah 48: 18)

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DON’T FORGET. “Am I that easy to forget?” God speaks to us today through this simple line from a song of long ago. Our journey to God’s heart is filled with constant reminders of His presence, and love. Ours is a journey of constant remembering. “Do this in memory of Me.” This was our Lord’s loving message at the last supper. “Remember that I am with you always.” This was our Lord’s last words before He ascended into Heaven.

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In our personal relationships, let us learn to talk less, and listen more to each other. And let us not forget, let us keep remembering, and let us keep going down memory lane for those moments that remind us the way we were, and the way we could still be till the end.

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There will always be something or someone there to remind us of God’s presence and love. God is speaking… are we listening?

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“We remember how You loved us through Your death; and still we celebrate for You are with us here; we believe that we will see You when You come in Your glory Lord; we remember, we celebrate, we believe!” (Proclamation of the Mystery of Faith)

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BTS. Believe and keep on believing, that we are loved by God no matter what; Trust that the Lord hears us, and He will help us; Surrender everything to God’s loving will and plan for us.

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I’ve said it before, and I say it again: It is better to be presumptuous of God’s love, than to doubt God’s love. And, it is better to believe that the people we love, love us. All I am saying is: Give love a chance.

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Heads up: We will have a Healing Mass at the Cathedral in Roxas City this March 13, 2024, 5:30 pm. Also, we will have our Palm Sunday Family Recollection on March 24, 2024 at the Divine Mercy Chapel in Estancia Mall East, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. Recollection starts at 1:30 pm, and Mass is at 4:00 pm. Free admission. One with you!

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A Moment with the Lord: Lord, help us to talk less and listen more, so that we can remember and feel much, much more. Amen.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (MOMENTS by Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD)

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God bless you, and Mama Mary loves you!

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May the Holy Triune God – the Omnipotence of the Father, the Wisdom of the Son, and the Love of the Holy Spirit – be known, loved and praised by all people.” (St. Arnold Janssen)

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