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TODAY’S WORD…

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May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,

who loved us

and in His grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope,

encourage you and strengthen you

to always do and say what is good.

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May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God’s love

and the endurance that is given by Christ.

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– 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17;3:5 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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The journey to the goal of salvation

involves cooperation between God’s grace and man’s freedom.

Man needs the help of the "firm hope"

which comes from recognizing that he – Jesus Christ – is a son of God.

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By inspiring us with hope,

God fills our hearts with consolation

and at the same time encourages us to put our faith into practice in daily life

– "to always do and say what is good."

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Love and endurance are interconnected and complement each other.

They are two Christian virtues which make us resemble God:

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us,

a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Eph 5:1-2)

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PRAYER…

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My Lord and my King,

O Great I AM,

Almighty and Omnipotent God,

strengthen my belief;

remove my unbelief;

fill me with hope

and a greater understanding of Your great love.

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Lord, remove from me

any hesitation,

any fear,

any undue reserve.

Instead, fill me

with Christian courage

and enduring strength and determination

to follow You wherever You take me.

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Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Lord, I shall follow You all the way.

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YEAR OF FAITH 2012-2013

FROM THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH…

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[…] The grace of faith opens "the eyes of your hearts" (Eph 1:18)

to a lively understanding of the contents of Revelation:

that is, of the totality of God’s plan and the mysteries of faith,

of their connection with each other and with Christ, the centre of the revealed mystery.

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The same Holy Spirit constantly perfects faith by His gifts,

so that Revelation may be more and more profoundly understood.

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In the words of St. Augustine, "I believe, in order to understand;

and I understand, the better to believe."

[CCC 158]

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