Thursday, March 31, 2011

God Is Good All The Time




chorus
God is good, all the time.
He put a song of praise,
In this heart of mine.
God is good, all the time.
Through the darkest night,
His light will shine.
God is good. God is good - all the time!
(repeat)

If you're walking through the valley,
And there are shadows all around,
Do not fear, He will guide you.
He will keep you safe and sound.
He has promised to never leave you,
Nor forsake you, and His Word is true.(chorus)

We were sinners so unworthy,
Still for us He chose to die.
Filled us with His Holy Spirit,
Now we can stand and testify,
That His love is everlasting,
And His mercies,-they will never end.(chorus)

bridge
Though I may not understand
All the plans you have for me
My life is in your hand
And through the eyes of faith I can clearly see.(chorus)


How Great Thou Art




O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;
I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

chorus
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think, that God,
His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died, to take away my sin.(chorus)

When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And there proclaim:
My God, how great Thou art!(chorus)


I Can Only Imagine




I can only imagine What it will be like
When I walk By Your side
I can only imagine What my eyes will see
When Your face Is before me
I can only imagine

{Chorus}:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine When that day comes
And I find myself Standing in the Son
I can only imagine When all I will do
Is forever Forever worship You
I can only imagine


I Love You Lord




I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear


People Need The Lord




Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where
On they go through private pair
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears

Chorus:
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He's the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
People need the Lord

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost for
Sharing life with one who's lost
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share. (Chorus)


Temple, if destroyed, to be raised in three days

Jesus Clears the Temple Courts
(JOHN 2:19-22)
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
***
Nagsabat si Jesus, "Gub-a ninyo ang templo nga ini kag sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw patindugon ko ini liwat."

Nagsiling sila, "Ang templo nga ini ginpatindog sa sulod sang 46 ka tuig kag patindugon mo lang sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw?"

Pero wala sila nakaintiende, kay ang ginatumod ni Jesus nga templo amo ang iya lawas.

Gani sang nabanhaw siya, nadumduman sang iya mga sumulunod nga ginhambal niya ini. Kag nagpati sila sa gintagna sang Kasulatan kag ang iya ginsiling parte sa iya pagkabanhaw.
***
Sumagot si Jesus at sinabi sa kanila: Gibain ninyo ang banal na dakong ito at aking itatayo sa loob ng tatlong araw.

Sinabi nga ng mga Judio: Apatnapu't-anim na taon ang pagtatayo ng banal na dakong ito at itatayo mo sa loob ng tatlong araw? Ngunit ang banal na dako na kaniyang tinutukoy ay ang kaniyang katawan. Nang ibinangon nga siya mula sa mga patay ay naalala ng kaniyang mga alagad na sinabi niya ito sa kanila. Sumampalataya sila sa kasulatan at sa salita na sinabi ni Jesus.

I Stand In Awe Of You




You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

Chorus
And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You

And I Cry holy, holy, holy God
How awful is your name
Holy, holy, holy God
How majestic is your reign
And I am changed in the presence of the holy God

In the presence of the holy God
There's a meaning now to grace
You took all my sins upon yourself
I can only stand amazed.

In the presence of you infinite might
I'm so small, so frail and weak
When I see your power and wisdom Lord
I have no words lift to speak


Shout To The Lord




My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I'll love You
Forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise
I have in You


Thy Word


Chorus
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path


When I feel afraid
Think I've lost my way
Still You're there right beside me

And nothing will I fear
As long as You are near
Please be near me to the end. (Chorus)

Now I will not forget Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering

Please be my guide and hold me to Your side
And I will love You to the end. (Chorus)


When I Look Into Your Holiness




When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround become shadows
In the light of You

When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will become enthroned in Your love
When all things that surround become shadows
In the light of You

Chorus
I worship You I worship You Oh Lord
The reason I live is to worship You...
I worship You I worship You Oh Lord
The reason I live is to worship You



Heal Me




Heal me, touch me heal me with your love
Cleanse me, wash me and take my sins away
As I look into your eyes
I feel your love and your mercy
Purify me once again oh Lord
And take control of my spirit
Heal me Oh Lord and I will be healed
For you are my Lord
My savior and my healer
I offer you my life.


The first miracle, water converted into wine

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine
 (JOHN 2:1-11)
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

"Kay paagi sa gahom sang Dios"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 11:14-23)
Isa sadto ka tion nagtabog si Jesus sang malaot nga espiritu nga nagsulod sa isa ka tawo nga nangin kabangdanan sang iya pagkaapa. Sang matabog niya ang malaot nga espiritu, nakahambal dayon ang apa. Natingala gid ang mga tawo.

Pero may mga tawo didto nga nagsiling, "Nagatabog siya sang malaot nga mga espiritu paagi sa gahom nga ginhatag sa iya ni Satanas nga amo ang pangulo sang malaot nga mga espiritu."

Ang iban didto luyag magdakop-dakop kay Jesus, gani ginsilingan nila siya nga maghimo sang milagro sa pagpamatuod nga ginpadala siya sang Dios.

Pero nahibaluan ni Jesus ang ila hunahuna, gani nagsiling siya sa ila, "Kon ang mga pumuluyo sang isa ka ginharian magbinahin-bahin kag mag-ilinaway, ina nga ginharian malaglag. Kag amo man ang matabo sa panimalay nga nagabinahin-bahin kag nagailinaway.

Gani kon si Satanas kag ang mga sakop niya magbinahin-bahin kag mag-ilinaway, paano makapadayon ang iya ginharian? Kay nagasiling kamo nga nagatabog ako sang malaot nga mga espiritu tungod nga ginahatagan ako sang gahom ni Satanas nga pangulo sang malaot nga mga espiritu.

Kon si Satanas ang nagahatag sa akon sang gahom para magtabog sang malaot nga mga espiritu, sin-o ang nagahatag sang gahom sa inyo mga sumulunod nga nagatabog man sang malaot nga mga espiritu? Ang inyo mga sumulunod mismo nagapamatuod nga sala gid kamo.

Karon, tungod kay nagatabog ako sang malaot nga mga espiritu paagi sa gahom sang Dios, nagapamatuod ini nga ang paghari sang Dios nag-abot na sa inyo."

Ginsugiran sila ni Jesus sang isa pa ka paanggid, "Kon nagaguwardya ang makusog nga tawo sa iya balay, nga kompleto ang armas, indi gid maano ang iya mga pagkabutang.

Pero kon sulungon siya sang mas makusog pa sang sa iya, mapierde siya. Ang iya ginasaligan nga mga armas kuhaon sa iya, kag pati ang tanan niya nga mga pagkabutang pamartidahon pa."

Pagkatapos nagsiling si Jesus, "Ang wala nagaapin sa akon, kontra sa akon. Kag ang wala nagabulig sa akon sa pagtipon sang mga tawo sa Dios nagapalapta lang."

Prayers:
"O Lord, our God, grant us, we beseech you, patience in troubles, humility in comforts, constancy in temptations, and victory over all our spiritual foes. Grant us sorrow for our sins, thankfulness for your benefits, fear of your judgment, love of your mercies, and mindfulness of your presence; now and for ever." (Prayer by John Cosin)
***
Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
What is the best protection which brings lasting security to our lives? Scripture tells us that true peace and security come to those who trust in God and obey his word. The struggle between choosing to do good or evil, yielding to my will or God's will, God's way or my way, cannot be won by human strength or will-power alone. Our enemy, the devil, conspires with the world and our flesh, to lead us into hurful and sinful desires. Peter the Apostles tells us, Our adversary, the devil prowls the earth seeking the ruin of souls (1 Peter 5:8-9). God offers us grace and protection if we are willing to obey his word and resist the devil. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways (Psalm 91:9-11).

Jesus' numerous exorcisms brought freedom to many who were troubled and oppressed by the work of evil spirits. Jesus himself encountered personal opposition and battled with Satan when he was put to the test in the wilderness just before his public ministry. He overcame the evil one through his obedience to the will of his Father. Some of the Jewish leaders reacted vehemently to Jesus' healings and exorcisms and they opposed him with malicious slander. How could he get the power and authority to release individuals from Satan's power? They assumed that he had to be in league with Satan. They attributed his power to Satan rather than to God.

Jesus answers their charge with two arguments. There were many exorcists in Palestine in Jesus' time. So Jesus retorted by saying that they also incriminate their own kin who cast out demons. If they condemn Jesus they also condemn themselves. In his second argument he asserts that no kingdom divided against itself cannot survive for long? We have witnessed enough civil wars in our own time to prove the destructive force at work here for the annihilation of whole peoples and their land. If Satan lends his power against his own forces then he is finished. How can a strong person be defeated except by someone who is stronger? Jesus asserted his power and authority to cast out demons as a clear demonstration of the reign of God. Jesus' reference to the finger of God points back to Moses' confrontation with Pharoah and his magicians who represented Satan and the kingdom of darkness (see Exodus 8:19). Jesus claims to be carrying on the tradition of Moses whose miracles freed the Israelites from bondage by the finger of God. God's power is clearly at work in the exorcisms which Jesus performed and they give evidence that God's kingdom has come.

Jesus makes it clear that there are no neutral parties. We are either for Jesus or against him, for the kingdom of God or against it. There are two kingdoms in opposition to one another – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness under the rule of Satan. If we disobey God’s word, we open to door to the power of sin and Satan in our lives. If you want to live in freedom from sin and Satan, then your house – your life and all you possess – must be occupied by Jesus where he is enthroned as Lord and Savior. Is the Lord Jesus the Master of your home, heart, mind, and will?

Oh, I Want to Know you More!




Just the time I feel that I've been caught in the mire of self.
Just the time I feel my mind's been bought by worldly wealth.
That's when the breeze begins to blow I know, the Spirit's Call.
And all my worldly wanderings just melt into His Love.

Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul
I want to know You, Oh, I want to know You.
To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,
looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more.

When my daily deeds ordinarily lose life and song,
my heart begins to bleed, sensitivity to Him is gone.
I've run the race but set my own pace and face a shattered soul,
Now the Gentle Arms of Jesus
warm my hunger to be whole.

Oh, I want to know You more! Deep within my soul
I want to know You, Oh, I want to know You.
And I would give my final breathe
to know You in Your Death and Resurrection,
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more...


God Will Make A Way




chorus:
God will make a way,
When there seems to be no way.
He works in ways, we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
Hold me closely to his side.
With love and strength, for each new day,
He will make a way, He will make a way.
( repeat )

By a roadway in the wilderness
He’ll lead me.
Rivers in the desert, will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His word will still remain.
He will do something new today.
( repeat chorus )


Create in me a clean heart




Create in me a clean heart oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart oh God
And renew a right spirit within me 

Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me


Breathe Upon Me




Breathe upon me breath of God
Breathe upon me Spirit of the Lord
As I lift my hands in surrender
to Your Name most high
I'm yielding to Your Spirit
I'm walking in Your love
Jesus, I adore You
Jesus, I adore You
Jesus, I adore Your Holy Name



Wednesday, March 30, 2011

He Touched Me




Shackled by a heavy burden,
'Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the Hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

Refrain
He touched me,
Oh, He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul.
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met the Blessed Saviour,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to Praise Him!
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

Refrain
He touched me,
Oh, He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul.
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.
(repeat the refrain 2 times)
He touched me and made me whole.


Jesus, What A Wonder You Are




Jesus, what a wonder You are.
You are so gentle,
So pure, and so kind.
You shine like the morning star.
Jesus, what a wonder You are.


To get a Touch




To get a touch from the Lord is so real
To get a touch from the Lord is so real
He will draw nigh to Him
He will draw nigh to you
To get a touch from the Lord is so real

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Jesus is coming, is coming again
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Jesus of Nazareth is passing our way.


Something Good




Something good is going to happen to us
Happen to us this very day
Something good is going to happen to us
Jesus of Nazareth is passing our way.


Surely the Presence




Chorus
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angels wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place

I
In the midst of His children the Lord said He would be
It doesn’t take very many, it can be just two or three
And I feel that same sweet spirit that I felt often times before
Surely I can say I’ve been with the Lord. (Chorus)

II
There’s a holy hush around us as God’s glory feels this place
I’ve touched the hem of His garment, I can almost see His face
And my heart is overflowing with the fullness of His joy
I know without a doubt that I’ve been with the Lord. (Chorus)


No Higher Calling




Down at Your feet, O Lord
Is the most high place
In Your presence, Lord
We seek Your face
We seek Your face

There is no higher calling,
No greater honor
Than to bow
And kneel before Your throne
I'm amazed at Your glory,
Embraced by Your mercy
I live to worship You


"Ang bisan sin-o nga magtuman sang Kasuguan"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 5:17-19)
"Indi kamo maghunahuna nga nagkadto ako diri sa pagbali-wala sang Kasuguan ni Moises kag sang mga ginsulat sang mga propeta. Nagkadto ako diri sa pagtuman sini.

Ang matuod amo ini, samtang yara pa ang langit kag ang duta wala gid sing bahin sang Kasuguan nga madula. Bisan pa ang mga diutay nga bahin sini indi gid madula ang ila kahulugan hasta wala pa matuman ang tanan.

Gani ang bisan sin-o nga maglapas sang bisan labing gamay nga bahin sang Kasuguan kag magtudlo sa iban nga maglapas man, siya ang pinakakubos sa ginharian sang Dios. Pero ang bisan sin-o nga magtuman sang Kasuguan, kag magtudlo sini sa iban nga magtuman man, siya ang labing dungganon sa ginharian sang Dios.

Prayers:
"Lord Jesus, grant this day, to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern our hearts and bodies, so that all our thoughts, words and deeds may be according to your Father's law and thus may we be saved and protected through your mighty help."
***
Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
Do you view God's law negatively or positively? Jesus' attitude towards the law of God can be summed up in the great prayer of Psalm 119: "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day." For the people of Israel the "law" could refer to the ten commandments or to the five Books of Moses, called the Pentateuch, which explain the commandments and ordinances of God for his people. The "law" also referred to the whole teaching or way of life which God gave to his people. The Jews in Jesus' time also used it as a description of the oral or scribal law. Needless to say, the scribes added many more things to the law than God intended. That is why Jesus often condemned the scribal law. It placed burdens on people which God had not intended. Jesus, however, made it very clear that the essence of God's law – his commandments and way of life, must be fulfilled.

Jesus taught reverence for God's law – reverence for God himself, for the Lord's Day, reverence or respect for parents, respect for life, for property, for another person's good name, respect for oneself and for one's neighbor lest wrong or hurtful desires master us. Reverence and respect for God's commandments teach us the way of love – love of God and love of neighbor. What is impossible to men and women is possible to God and those who put their faith and trust in God. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit the Lord transforms us and makes us like himself. We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) because "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). God gives us the grace to love as he loves, to forgive as he forgives, to think as he thinks, and to act as he acts. The Lord loves justice and goodness and he hates every form of wickedness and sin. He wants to set us free from our unruly desires and sinful habits, so that we can choose to live each day in the peace, joy, and righteousness of his Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17). To renounce sin is to turn away from what is harmful and destructive for our minds and hearts, and our very lives. As his followers we must love and respect his commandments and hate every form of sin. Do you love and revere the commands of the Lord?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Kay Kristo Lang




Kay Kristo lang tiwala ko
Ang kamatayan Niya'y kaluwalhatian ko
Sa bawat tagumpay ay sasabihin ko
Tanging lakas pag-asa ko
Kay Kristo lang


In Christ Alone




In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I overcome
Oh I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal
To the grace by which I stand

Chorus:
In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains
But losses to the glory of my Lord

Chorus:
In Christ alone I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone



The Lord's Prayer




Our Father, which art in heaven.
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
And the glory, forever. Amen.



Amazing Grace




Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now, I see

Twas Grace that taught
my heart to fear
And Grace, my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
the hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
we have already come
Twas Grace that brought us safe thus far
and Grace will lead us home

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures

When we've been here ten thousand years
bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
then when we've first begun

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind, but now, I see


Oh the Glory of Your Presence




Jesus, all glorious
Create in us a temple
Called as living stones
Where You’re enthroned
As You rose from death in pow’r
So rise within our worship
Rise upon our praise
And let the hand
That saw You raised
Clothe us in Your glory
Draw us by Your grace

Chorus:
Oh the glory
Of your presence
We your temple
Give you reverence
So arise to your rest
And be blessed by our praise
As we glory
In your embrace
As your presence
Now fills this place


Glorify Thy Name




Father, I love you, I praise you, I adore you
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth
Glorify Thy Name, Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth

Jesus, I love you, I praise you, I adore you
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth
Glorify Thy Name, Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth

Spirit, I love you, I praise you, I adore you
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth
Glorify Thy Name, Glorify Thy Name
Glorify Thy Name in all the earth



Praise The Name of Jesus




Praise the name of Jesus
Praise the name of Jesus
He's my rock,
He's my fortress,
He's my deliverer,
In Him will I trust.
Praise the name of Je - - sus.

Love the name of Jesus
Love the name of Jesus
He's my rock,
He's my fortress,
He's my deliverer,
In Him will I trust.
Love the name of Je - - sus.



Spirit of God




I can almost see Your holiness
As I look around this place
With my hands stretched out
To receive Your love
I can see You on each face

Spirit of God lift me up
Spirit of God lift me up
Fill me again with your love
Sweet Spirit of God


Spirit of the Living God




Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.


Lord, I Want Your Holy Spirit




Lord, I want your Holy Spirit
Breathe into this heart of mine
And possess my in most being
Give me Lord a heart like Thine.


"Makapila ko gid bala siya patawaron?"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Mateo 18:21-35)
Nagpalapit si Pedro kay Jesus kag nagpamangkot, "Ginoo, kon ang akon utod permi lang makasala sa akon, makapila ko gid bala siya patawaron? Makapito gid bala ka beses?"

Nagsabat si Jesus sa iya, "Indi lang hasta sa pito, kundi hasta sa 77 ka beses.

Kay ang paghari sang Dios pareho sa natabo sa isa ka hari nga nagahusay sang mga utang sang iya mga suluguon.

Samtang nagahusay siya sang ila mga utang, may gindala sa iya nga suluguon nga ang iya utang minilyon.

Tungod nga indi siya makabayad nagsugo ang hari nga ibaligya siya bilang ulipon pati ang iya asawa kag ang iya mga bata. Kag ibaligya man ang tanan niya nga pagkabutang agod mabayaran niya ang iya utang.

Ang ginhimo sang suluguon, nagluhod siya sa hari kag nagpakitluoy nga nagasiling, 'Pasensyaha lang ako anay kay bayaran ko gid ikaw sang tanan!'

Naluoy ang hari sa iya, gani ginpatawad siya kag wala na pagpabayara sang iya utang, kag ginpapauli siya.

"Pagpauli sadto nga suluguon nasugata niya ang kapareho niya nga suluguon nga may utang sa iya nga gamay gid lang. Gindakop niya siya kag ginkuga dayon nga nagasiling, 'Bayari ako sang imo utang!'

Nagluhod sa iya ang iya kapareho nga suluguon nga nagapakitluoy, 'Pasensyaha lang ako anay kay bayaran ko gid ikaw!'

Pero wala gid siya nagpasugot. Ginpapriso gid niya ang suluguon nga ato hasta makabayad.

Pagkakita sadto sang iban pa gid nga mga suluguon naglain ang ila buot, gani nagkadto sila sa ila hari kag ginsugid ang parte sa natabo.

Ginpatawag sang hari ang suluguon kag nagsiling, 'Masyado ka kalain nga suluguon. Ginpatawad ko ikaw sa imo utang sa akon tungod kay nagpakitluoy ka sa akon.

Ngaa bala wala mo pagkaluoyi ang imo kapareho nga suluguon pareho sang akon pagkaluoy sa imo?'

Naakig gid ang hari sa iya. Ginpapriso niya siya kag ginpasilutan hasta mabayaran ang tanan niya nga utang."

Dayon nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "Amo man ini ang himuon sa inyo sang akon Amay sa langit kon indi kamo magpatawad sa inyo kapareho sa bug-os ninyo nga tagipusuon."

Prayers:
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury let me sow pardon. Where there is doubt let me sow faith. Where there is despair let me give hope. Where there is darkness let me give light. Where there is sadness let me give joy." (Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi)
***
Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
Who doesn't have debts they need to pay off! And who wouldn't be grateful to have someone release them from their debts? But can we really expect mercy and pardon when we owe someone a great deal? The prophet Amos speaks of God forgiving transgression three times, but warns that God may not revoke punishment for the fourth (see Amos 1:3-13; 2:1-6). When Peter posed the question of forgiveness, he characteristically offered an answer he thought Jesus would be pleased with. Why not forgive seven times! How unthinkable for Jesus to counter with the proposition that one must forgive seventy times that. Jesus made it clear that there is no reckonable limit to forgiveness. And he drove the lesson home with a parable about two very different kinds of debts. The first man owed an enormous sum of money – millions in our currency. In Jesus' time this amount was greater than the total revenue of a province – more than it would cost to ransom a king! The man who was forgiven such an incredible debt could not, however bring himself to forgive his neighbor a very small debt which was about one- hundred-thousandth of his own debt. The contrast could not have been greater!

Paul the Apostle tells us that "the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). There is no way we could repay God the debt we owed him because of our sins and offenses. Only his mercy and pardon could free us from such a debt. There is no offense our neighbor can do to us that can compare with our debt to God! If God has forgiven each of us our debt, which was very great, we, too must forgive others the debt they owe us. Through Jesus' atoning sacrifice for our sins on the cross, we have been forgiven a debt beyond all reckoning. It cost God his very own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to ransom us with the price of his blood. Jesus paid the price for us and won for us pardon for our sins and freedom from slavery to our unruly desires and sinful habits. God in his mercy offers us the grace and help of his Holy Spirit so we can love as he loves, pardon as he pardons, and treat others with the same mercy and kindness which he has shown to us. God has made his peace with us. Have you made your peace with God? If we understand God's love and accept it, than we have no other choice but to be merciful towards others as our heavenly Father is merciful towards us. Are you a peacemaker?

Monday, March 28, 2011

Spirit Song




O let the Son of God enfold you
With his Spirit and his Love
Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.
O let him have the things that hold you
And his Spirit like a dove
Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Chorus
Jesus, O Je - sus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Je - sus, come and fill your lambs.

O come and sing this song with gladness
As your hearts are filled with joy,
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name.
O give Him all your tears and sadness,
Give him all your years of pain
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.

Chorus
Jesus, O Je - sus, come and fill your lambs.
Jesus, O Je - sus, come and fill your lambs.



Fill This Temple




Let my heart be the temple of you spirit
Let my spirit feel the warmth of your embrace
Let me be a holy habitation
Where your spirit is pleased to dwell

Oh Lord I long to know your glory
I want to offer the sacrifice of praise
Fill this temple Lord
with your spirit once again.

Oh Lord I long to know your glory
I want to offer the sacrifice of praise
Fill this temple Lord
with your spirit once again.

O Come Holy Spirit/Jesus Son of God




O come Holy Spirit heal my sins
Come Holy Spirit heal my mind
Come Holy Spirit cleanse my heart
Come Holy Spirit give me new life.

Jesus Son of God born to set us free
Our sins, our pains he bore upon a tree
By his wounds I have been healed
He has set a captives free
My eyes now see my savior now on me

O come Holy Spirit heal my sins
Come Holy Spirit heal my mind
Come Holy Spirit cleanse my heart
Come Holy Spirit give me new life.


Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome




 Chorus:
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place;
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace,
Thou Art Welcome in this Place.

Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In my Heart,
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome In my Heart;
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace,
Thou Art Welcome In my Heart.

I
Lord, in Thy Presence There's Healing Divine;
No Other Power Can Save, Lord, but Thine;
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,
Thou Art Welcome in this Place (Chorus)

II
Fill All the Hungry and Empty Within;
Restore Us, Oh Father, Revive Us Again;
Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in this Place,
Thou Art Welcome in this Place. (Chorus)



In the Presence




In the presence of the Father
God almighty, Prince of peace
Troubles vanished hearts are mended
In the presence of the King.

In His presence, in His holy presence
The way we can't find perfect rest
The broken heart restore
In His presence, in His holy presence
There's nothing like the presence of the Lord.


Ang pulong sa paghukom ni Jesus

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Lucas 4:24-30)
Dayon nagsiling si Jesus, "Sa pagkamatuod, wala sing propeta nga ginakilala sa iya kaugalingon nga banwa.

Hunahunaa ninyo ang natabo sang una sang panahon ni Elias nga propeta. Wala pagpaulana sang Dios sa sulod sang tatlo ka tuig kag tunga kag dako gid ang gutom nga naagihan sang mga tawo. Madamo ang mga balo nga babayi sa bug-os nga Israel sa sadto nga tion sang gutom.

Pero wala gid pagsugua sang Dios si Elias agod buligan ang bisan sin-o sa ila; kundi ginpadala siya sa isa ka balo nga babayi nga indi Judio nga nagaestar sa banwa sang Sarepta nga sakop sang Sidon.

Amo man ini ang natabo sang panahon ni Eliseo nga propeta. Madamo ang mga aruon didto sa Israel, pero wala gid sing may gin-ayo sa ila. Si Naaman nga indi Judio nga taga-Siria amo ang gin-ayo."

Pagkabati sadto sang mga tawo sa simbahan naakig gid sila.

Nagtilindog sila kag gin-guyod nila si Jesus paguwa sa banwa, didto sa may pil-as dampi (kay ang ila banwa sa ibabaw sang bukid). Gusto nila nga itiklod si Jesus didto sa pil-as.

Pero naglusot si Jesus sa tunga nila kag ginbayaan sila.

Prayers:
"Lord Jesus, teach me to love your ways that I may be quick to renounce sin and wilfulness in my life. Make me whole and clean again that I may I delight to do your will."
***
Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
Do you want to be made clean and whole, free from sin, pride, and a willful heart that refuses God's grace and instruction? God makes us a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), but sinful pride, indifference, and unbelief can block that transformation from taking full effect in us. God repeatedly sent his prophets to the chosen people of Israel to shake from them their indifference and unbelief, but their ears grew dull of hearing. They forgot to ask for healing and pardon. We all stand in need of God's grace and help every day and every moment of our lives. Scripture tells us that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:22-23). God gives grace to the humble who seek him with sincerity, with expectant faith, and with a repentant heart that wants to be made whole and clean again. When Naaman, a non-Jew went to Jerusalem to seek a cure for his leprosy, the prophet Elisha instructed him to bathe seven times in the Jordan river. He humbly followed the prophet's instructions and was immediately restored in body and spirit.

When Jesus proclaimed the good news of God's kingdom to his own people, he did not hesitate to confront them with their sin of indifference and unbelief. He startled his listeners in the synagogue at Nazareth with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. He then angered them when he complimented the Gentiles who seemed to have shown more faith in God than the "chosen ones" of Israel. The Jews regarded the unbelieving Gentiles as "fuel for the fires of hell." Jesus' praise for "outsiders" offended the hears of his own people because they were blind-sighted to God's mercy and plan of redemption for all nations. The word of warning and judgment spoken by Jesus was met with hostility by his own people. They forcibly threw him out of the town and would have done him harm had he not stopped them.

The Lord Jesus offers healing and pardon to all who humbly ask for his mercy and help. He will set us free from every sinful habit and every harmful way of relating to our neighbor, if we allow him to cleanse and heal us. If we want to walk in freedom and grow in love and holiness, then we must humbly renounce our sinful ways and submit to Christ's instruction and healing for our lives. Scripture tells us that the Lord disciplines us for our good that we may share his holiness (Hebrews 12:10). Do you want the Lord Jesus to set you free from every sinful pattern and to make you whole and well again? Ask him to show you the way to walk in his love and truth.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Holy Spirit Come




Holy Spirit come make my ears to hear
Holy Spirit come make my eyes to see
Make my mouth to speak, make my heart to seek
And my hands to reach out and touch by you
And touch the world with your love.


Come Holy Spirit I Need You



Come Holy Spirit I need you
Come Holy Spirit I pray
Come with your strength and your power
Come in your own special way

Come like a spring in the desert
Come to the weary of soul,
Lord, with your sweet healing power
Touch us and make us whole

Glory be to the Father,
Glory be to the Son,
Glory be to the Spirit,
Our God, all three in one. [Now and forever Amen]

Halina, Espiritu Santo
Kinakailangan Kita;
Sigla at lakas ng mahina
Pag-asa naming lahat.

Kunsad Espiritu Santo
Kunsad ga-ampo ako
Kunsad langitnon kalayo
Inita ining dughan ko


Panginoon Patawad Po




Koro:
Panginoon patawad po
Panginoon patawad po
Panginoon patawad po
Sa lahat ng kasalanang nagawa ko sa Iyo
Kristo patawad po
Kristo patawad po
Kristo patawad po
Sa lahat lahat ng aking pagkukulang sa Iyo

I
Sa gawain kong mapagpanira
Sa gawain kong mapagbintang
Sa gawain kong mapagkutya
Mapanghusga sa aking kapwa
Sa gawain kong makasarili
Sa gawain kong mapagkunwari
Panginoon, Panginoon patawad po. (Koro)

II
Sa puso kong di marunong magmahal
Sa puso kong di marunong magpatawad
Sa puso kong wala ng iniisip
Kundi pansariling kapakanan lamang
Sa puso kong di marunong magbigay
Sa puso kong di marunong maawa
Kristo, Kristo patawad po. (Koro)


I Take Refuge



Chorus
I take refuge in you Yeshoa I find comfort in you
You alone our God my deliverer
In the shelter of your arms I hide

I take refuge in you Messiah I find comfort in you
Everyone who hopes in your steadfast love
We will find a place of refuge in you

I
Turn to me and be gracious to me Lord
Touch my heart for I am broken
In your mercy come and heal my distress
Lord forgive all my sins
Lord forgive all my sins. (Chorus)

II
I will fix my eyes upon the Lord my God
You alone are my salvation
Guard my life and save me from the enemies
I take refuge in you
I take refuge in you (Chorus)


Patawad




Patawad Panginoon ako'y nagkasala
Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa
Patawad Panginoon sa aking kahinaan
Kapatawaran mo'y nawa'y makamtan

Purihin ka sa Iyong kadakilaan
Alam kong ako'y nagkulang
Ang oras na para sa Iyo walang nailaan
Ngunit kahit minsa'y hindi mo ako tinalikuran

Napakabuti mo Panginoon
Salamat sa biyaya na Iyong pinagkaloob
Hayaan mong ika'y aking paglingkuran
Ang buhay ko'y para sa Iyo lamang


"Ang bisan sin-o nga magainom sang tubig nga Akon ihatag indi na gid pag-uhawon"

Ebanghelyo subong nga Adlaw (Juan 4:5-42)
Sang nagaagi na sila sa Samaria, nakaabot sila sa banwa nga ginatawag Sicar, malapit sa duta nga ginhatag ni Jacob sa iya anak nga si Jose.

May bubon didto nga ginhimo ni Jacob. Kag tungod nga udtong adlaw na kag nakapoy na gid si Jesus sa iya paglakat, nagpungko na lang siya sa higad sang bubon.

Ang iya mga sumulunod nagderetso sa banwa agod magbakal sang pagkaon. Karon, samtang nagapungko siya didto, nag-abot ang isa ka babayi nga taga-Samaria agod magsag-ob. Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Abi paimna man ako."

Nagsiling ang babayi sa iya, "Indi bala nga ikaw Judio kag ako Samariahanon, kag babayi pa. Ngaa mangayo ka sa akon sang tubig?" (Amo ini ang iya ginsiling tungod kay ang mga Judio wala nagasapak sa mga Samariahanon.)

Nagsiling si Jesus sa babayi, "Kon nahibaluan mo lang kon ano ang ginahatag sang Dios, kag kon sin-o ang nagapangayo sa imo sang tubig, ikaw pa kuntani ang magapangayo sa akon agod hatagan ko ikaw sang tubig nga nagahatag sang kabuhi."

Nagsiling ang babayi sa iya, "Sir, wala ka sing timba kag madalon ang bubon. Diin bala ikaw makakuha sang tubig nga nagahatag sang kabuhi?

Ang aton katigulangan nga si Jacob amo ang nagkutkot sini nga bubon. Siya kag ang iya mga anak pati ang iya mga kasapatan nag-inom sa sini nga bubon. Ano, sobra ka pa bala sa aton katigulangan nga si Jacob?"

Nagsabat si Jesus, "Ang bisan sin-o nga nagainom sa sini nga tubig pagauhawon liwat.

Pero ang bisan sin-o nga magainom sang tubig nga akon ihatag indi na gid pag-uhawon. Kay ang tubig nga akon ihatag sa iya mangin pareho sang buhi nga tuburan dira sa iya nga magahatag sang kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan."

Gani nagsiling ang babayi kay Jesus, "Sir, hatagi man ako sina nga tubig nga imo ginasiling agod indi na ako pag-uhawon liwat, kag agod indi na kinahanglan nga magbalik-balik pa ako diri para magsag-ob."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Ti kadtui ang imo bana kag dal-a diri."

Nagsabat ang babayi, "Wala ako sing bana." Nagsiling si Jesus, "Husto ina. Wala matuod ikaw sing bana, kay sadto ka pa may lima ka bana, kag ang lalaki nga imo ginapuyo karon indi mo matuod nga bana. Gani matuod ang ginasiling mo nga ina."

Nagsiling ang babayi sa iya, "Sir, siguro propeta ka.

Ang amon mga katigulangan nagsimba sa Dios sa sini nga bukid, pero kamo nga mga Judio nagasiling nga ang mga tawo dapat magsimba sa Dios sa Jerusalem."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa babayi, "Pamati bala anay! Magaabot ang tion nga indi na kamo magsimba sa Amay sa sini nga bukid ukon sa Jerusalem."

Kamo nga mga Samariahanon, wala gid kamo makakilala kon sin-o ang inyo ginasimba. Pero kami nga mga Judio nakakilala kon sin-o ang amon ginasimba, kay paagi sa amon luwason sang Dios ang mga tawo."

Nagsiling pa gid si Jesus, "Sa pagkamatuod, magaabot ang adlaw kag nag-abot na gani, nga ang matuod nga mga manugsimba magasimba sa Amay paagi sa espiritu kag kamatuoran. Kag amo ini nga klase sang mga manugsimba ang gusto sang Dios nga magasimba sa iya.

Ang Dios espiritu, gani ang nagasimba sa iya dapat magsimba paagi sa espiritu kag kamatuoran."

Nagsiling ang babayi, "Nahibaluan ko nga magaabot ang Mesias nga ginatawag man nga Cristo. Kag kon mag-abot na siya, sugiran niya kita parte sa tanan nga mga butang."

Nagsiling si Jesus sa iya, "Ako nga nagapakighambal sa imo karon amo ang ginasiling mo nga magaabot."

Pagkasiling niya sini nag-abot dayon ang iya mga sumulunod. Natingala gid sila sang nakita nila nga nagapakighambal siya sa isa ka babayi. Pero wala gid sing bisan sin-o sa ila nga nagpamangkot sa babayi kon ano ang iya kinahanglan. Wala man sila nagpamangkot kay Jesus kon ngaa nagapakighambal siya sa babayi.

Dayon ginbilin sang babayi ang iya banga nga salag-uban kag nagbalik sa banwa. Pag-abot niya didto nagsiling dayon siya sa mga tawo,

"Dali bala kamo, tan-awa ninyo ang tawo nga nakahibalo sang tanan ko nga ginpanghimo. Basi kon amo na ini ang Cristo."

Gani nagkadto ang mga tawo didto kay Jesus.

Samtang wala pa nag-alabot ang mga tawo didto kay Jesus, ginapilit si Jesus sang iya mga sumulunod nga magkaon na.

Pero nagsiling si Jesus sa ila, "May pagkaon ako nga wala ninyo mahibalui."

Gani nagpinamangkutanay ang iya mga sumulunod kon bala may nagdala sa iya sing pagkaon.

Nagsiling dayon si Jesus sa ila, "Ang akon kalan-on amo ang pagtuman sang kabubut-on sang nagpadala sa akon kag ang pagtapos sang buluhaton nga iya ginpahimo sa akon.

Indi bala nagasiling man kamo nga apat pa ka bulan bag-o mag-abot ang tig-alani. Pero kon sa akon lang, tig-alani na ini. Tan-awa bala ninyo ang madamo nga mga tawo nga nagaalabot! Kon sa mga alanihon pa, ina luto na gid, kag alanihon na.

Kamo nga bilang mga manug-ani may pagabatunon kamo nga balos halin sa Dios. Kag ang mga tawo, nga bilang inyo ginaani, pagahatagan niya sing kabuhi nga wala sing katapusan. Gani ang mga nagatanom sang mga pulong sang Dios kag ang mga nagaani sang bunga pareho nga magakalipay.

Matuod gid man ang ginasiling nga 'lain ang nagatanom kag lain man ang nagaani.'

Ang inyo halimbawa pareho sa mga manug-ani nga akon ginpadala nga mag-ani sa mga alanihon nga indi kamo ang nagtanom. Kay iban ang nagtudlo anay sa ila, kag kamo ang nakapulos sang ila pinangabudlayan.

Madamo nga mga Samariahanon sa sadto nga lugar ang nagtuo kay Jesus tungod sa ginsugid sang babayi nga nahibaluan ni Jesus ang tanan niya nga ginpanghimo.

Gani pag-abot sang mga Samariahanon didto kay Jesus, ginpangabay gid nila siya nga kon mahimo magtiner siya anay didto sa ila. Gani nagtiner siya didto sing duha ka adlaw.

Tungod sa iya mga ginpanudlo, madamo pa gid nga mga tawo didto ang nagtuo sa iya.

Nagsiling dayon ang mga tawo sa babayi, "Karon nagatuo kami sa iya indi lang tungod sa imo ginsugid sa amon, kundi kami gid mismo nakabati sa iya. Kag nahibaluan namon nga siya amo ang Manluluwas sang kalibutan."

Prayers:
“Lord Jesus, my soul thirsts for you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may always find joy in your presence and take delight in doing your will.”
***
Reflection of the Daily Gospel:
Would you give water to somebody who snubbed you or treated you like an enemy? Jesus did just that and more! He treated Samaritans, the sworn enemies of the Jews, with great kindness and respect. The Jews and the Samaritans who lived in Israel between Galilee and Judaea, had been divided for centuries. They had no dealings with one another, avoiding all social contact, even trade, and inter-marriage. If their paths crossed it would not be unusual for hostility to break out. When Jesus decided to pass through Samaria he stopped at Jacob's well because it was mid-day and he was both exhausted and thirsty. Jacob's well was a good mile and a half from the nearest town, called Sychar. It wasn't easy to draw water from this well since it was over a hundred feet deep. Jesus had neither rope nor bucket to fetch the water. When a Samaritan woman showed up at the well, both were caught by surprise. Why would a Samaritan woman walk a mile and a half in the mid-day heat to fetch her water at a remote well rather than in the local town? She was an outcast and not welcomed among her townspeople. Jesus then did something no respectable Jew would think of doing. He reached out to a Samaritan, thus risking ritual impurity and scorn from his fellow Jews. He also did something no strict Rabbi would dare to do in public without loss to his reputation. He greeted the woman and spoke openly with her. Not only was she a woman, but an adulteress and public sinner as well. No decent Jew or Samaritan would even think of being seen with such a woman, let alone exchanging a word with her!

Jesus broke through the barriers of prejudice, hostility, and tradition to bring the good news of peace and reconciliation to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. He demonstrated the universality of the gospel both in word and deed. No one is barred from the love of God and the good news of salvation. There is only one thing that can keep us from God and his redeeming love – our stubborn pride and wilful rebellion.

What is the point of Jesus’ exchange with the Samaritan woman about water? Water in the arid land was scarce. Jacob’s well was located in a strategic fork of the road between Samaria and Galilee. One can live without food for several days, but not without water. Water is a source of life and growth for all living things. When rain came to the desert, the water transformed the wasteland into a fertile field. The kind of water which Jesus spoke about was living, running, fresh, pure water. Fresh water from a cool running stream was always preferred to the still water one might find in a pool or resevoir. When the Israelites complained about lack of water in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to strike the rock and a stream of fresh living water gushed out (Exodus17:6 ). Even though the Israelites did not trust God to care for them in the wilderness, God, nonetheless gave them abundant water and provision through the intercession of his servant Moses.

The image of "living water" is used throughout the scriptures as a symbol of God’s wisdom, a wisdom that imparts life and blessing to all who receive it. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life” (Proverbs 13:14). "Living water" was also a symbol for the Jews of thirst of the soul for God. The water which Jesus spoke of symbolized the Holy Spirit and his work of recreating us in God’s image and sustaining in us the new life which comes from God. The life which the Holy Spirit produces in us makes us a "new creation" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Do you thirst for God and for the life of the Holy Spirit within you?

Hippolytus, a second century Christian writer, explains the significance of the Holy Spirit’s work in us: “This is the water of the Spirit: It refreshes paradise, enriches the earth, gives life to living things. It is the water of Christ’s baptism; it is our life. If you go with faith to this renewing fountain, you renounce Satan your enemy and confess Christ your God. You cease to be a slave and become an adopted son; you come forth radiant as the sun and brilliant with justice; you come forth a son of God and fellow-heir with Christ.” (From a sermon, On the Epiphany)

Basil the Great (c. 330-379) speaks in a similar manner: “The Spirit restores paradise to us and the way to heaven and adoption as children of God; he instills confidence that we may call God truly Father and grants us the grace of Christ to be children of the light and to enjoy eternal glory. In a word, he bestows the fullness of blessings in this world and the next; for we may contemplate now in the mirror of faith the promised things we shall someday enjoy. If this is the foretaste, what must the reality be? If these are the first fruits, what must be the harvest?” (From the treatise, The Holy Spirit)