BLD WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER

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1 BLD WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER Visit us at Sept 29, 2017 VOL. 17 NO. 180 Praise and Worship Every Friday 8:30 p.m. Hess Auditorium Eucharistic Celebration every Bukas-Loob Sa Diyos (Open In Spirit to God) Catholic Charismatic Covenant Community Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church 4835 MacArthur Blvd. N.W. Washington D.C First Friday of the month OLV Church ALL ARE WELCOME! Inside this Issue: COUNSELS COMMUNITY EVENTS -Dinner Dance -Singles Encounter - Marriage Encounter Today is Feast of Archangels - see page 4-5 Please Read Your Bible daily Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ The first reading tells us that each one of us is responsible to God for his own conduct. Since God gave us a free-will, we should not blame anyone for our wrongdoing because we will stand alone before Him and we will be judged accordingly. In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to live in the unity of love and mutual charity. To do this, we must put on the mind of Christ. We should humbly serve others as He did, to look to their interest rather than to one's own.(phil 2: 3,4&5) The parable of the two sons in Matthew's gospel reveals very important facts about the condition of the human person after original sin and the possibility of conversion from sin and death to virtue and life. This parable was primarily addressed to the Jewish leaders and chief priests, to show how they stood in relation to God and the Kingdom. Being God's Chosen People, they took pride of their strict observance of the Mosaic Law and saw no need of their own conversion. They resisted God's call to change their lives, thus excluding themselves entry into God's kingdom. This should explain why the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom before them. Even though they initially lived in opposition to holiness, they heeded the gospel message as preached by John the Baptist and Jesus. As a result, they were promised a share in the kingdom of God. Continued on page 2 " AND HE GAVE SOME AS APOSTLES, OTHERS AS PROPHETS, OTHERS AS EVANGELISTS, OTHERS AS PASTORS AND TEACHERS, TO EQUIP THE HOLY ONES FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY, FOR BUILDING UP THE BODY OF CHRIST, UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN TO THE UNITY OF FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD." EPHESIANS 4:

2 Continued from Page 1 The readings today are intended for all of us to a call for conversion, that in the event God calls us from this life, what defense shall we present on judgment time? Conversion of the heart is what Jesus sought to bring about in us if we are to enter the Lord's Kingdom.. Let us take note of the father's request to his two sons to "go out and work in the vineyard today."(mt. 21:28) He said TODAY, not tomorrow or some other time. They must have seen the father's command as a restraint on their freedom. So often this is how we view our Lord and His Church's teachings, that our unrestricted freedom causes us to do whatever we want without regard to what God wills us to do. We postpone attending the ME, LSS and spiritual renewal retreats until the children are grown up and we are retired. And when we retire we still have to fulfill a "bucket list" of self-serving agenda. Brothers and sisters, you decide! Neither son in the parable was perfect. Both fell short of accepting the father's will and acting upon it in a humble and timely obedience. Nevertheless, both sons offer us a lesson in reality. Like all of us, they are flawed with sin. The sudden change of heart of the son who initially said no to his father's request shows us that no one is beyond conversion and that God's grace can overcome any hardness of heart. This conversion is based in humble recognition of our sinfulness and sincere desire to repent and make amends. To live lovingly with one another in community requires self-emptying and stripping oneself of rights, honors and privileges. There is so much to be done in community and we count on one another to accomplish all these tasks and in a timely manner. Words of commitment must accompany action. Since every role in ministry is vital to the well-being of the community, its members and its mission, it is critical that work be conducted in a morally high standard: a Christian standard. Let us be guided by Psalm 101:7, "No one who practices deceit can remain within my house. No one who speaks falsely can last in my presence."only by making our own the humility of Jesus Christ could we love and support one another in a manner worthy of our calling as Christians. Let us aim to be someone who immediately and willingly carries out the Father's will. Not only shall we gain entry into the Kingdom but brings us great rewards even here on earth in terms of growth in holiness, peace and joy. Jesus said in Mt 7:21, "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Let us imitate Jesus, the "ideal son," as St. Paul puts it in Phil 2: 7& 8, "he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave...humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." DIRECTIONS: 1. Accept God's call to serve in community and in the larger Church. 2. Serve in humility and selfless love. Page 2 BLD WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER

3 UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars October 21, 2017 BLD DINNER DANCE FUNDRAISING October 28-29, 2017 Singles Encounter #8 November 4-5, 2017 Marriage Encounter #18 December 22, 2017 BLD Christmas Party OLV Love Offering Sept 1, 2017 $ Harvey Collection $ Sept 8, 2017 $ Sept 15, 2017 $ Sept 22, 2017 $ Thank you for your faithful and consistent giving. Your donations are so very important because they allow us to carry on the work of evangelization. Page 3 BLD WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER

4 Praying with the Word Bind me to yourself, O God, and open the eyes of my mind to your Word, that I might know your will and have the courage to live it. Heal the cracks in the rock of my faith, and help all that I say, do, and am proclaim my belief in your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen TODAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, We celebrate the Feast of archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael Daniel 7:9 10, (or Revelations 12:7 12); Psalm 137; John 1:47 51 "You will see the angels of God" Scripture: John 1:47-51 (alternate reading: Luke 9:18-22) 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" 48 Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." 49 Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." Meditation: What would you give to see beyond the visible - to "see heaven opened and to behold the angels" who stand in God's presence? When Philip brought his friend Nathanael to see Jesus, Jesus did the unthinkable! He brought revelation to Nathanael - revelation of how God looks at each one of us in the very depths of our hearts and invites us into intimate communion with him in his heavenly court. Nathanael was very startled that Jesus could know him and understand what was in his heart even before Nathanael had the opportunity to speak with Jesus. God's word brings blessing and refreshment for those who reflect on it What is the significance of Jesus' revelation of seeing Nathanael "under the fig tree"? For the people of Israel, the fig tree was a symbol of God's peace and blessing (1 Kings 4:24b-25, Micah 4:4). It provided shade from the midday sun and a cool refreshing place to retreat, pray, and reflect on God's word. Rabbis often gathered their disciples under the shade of the fig to teach them the wisdom and revelation of God from the Scriptures. The rabbis had an expression for comparing the fig tree to being nourished with God's word in Scripture, "He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit." Jesus offers the greatest gift possible - peace and friendship with God It is very likely that Nathanial had been thinking about God "under his fig tree" and reflecting on God's promise in the Scriptures to send a Messiah King who would free his people from sin and oppression and usher in God's kingdom of righteousness and peace for the whole world. Perhaps Nathanael dozed off for a midday nap and dreamt of God's kingdom like Jacob had dreamt when God gave him a vision of a great ladder which united earth with heaven (see Genesis 28:12-17). Through the gift of revelation Nathanael recognized that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the everlasting "Son of God and King of Israel" (John 1:49). The Lord Jesus offered to Nathanael the greatest gift possible - the gift of friendship with God and free access to God's throne in heaven. Jesus promises that we will dwell with the living God What does Jesus mean when he says "you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man"? One of the most remarkable revelations recorded in the bible is the dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:12-17). God had opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God. In Jacob's dream God revealed his angelic host and showed him the throne of heaven and promised Jacob that he and his descendants would dwell with the living God. Continued on Page 5

5 Continued from Page 4 God's angels serve us Who are the angels and why do they intervene between heaven and earth? The Scriptures tell us the angels are God's servants and messengers. "They are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (Psalm 103:20). The angels belong to Christ and were created for and through him (Colossians 1:16). The Letter to the Hebrews speaks of the role of the angels in God's plan of salvation: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14) God's angels watch over us as his guardians The angels are not only messengers but protectors and guardians as well. "For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all yours ways" (Psalm 91:11). We are not alone in our struggle against sin and evil in the world. The armies of heaven fight for us and with us in the spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and wills. Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and to his way of peace and happiness? Jesus, the Son of God, unites earth and heaven in himself Jesus' response to Nathanael's new faith is the promise that Jesus himself will be the "ladder which unites earth with heaven." Jesus proclaims that he is the fulfillment of the promise made to the Patriarch Jacob and his descendants. Jesus is the true ladder or stairway to heaven. In Jesus' incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth - God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom through his Son Jesus. Jesus gives us free access to God's presence Jesus' death on the cross, where he defeated sin and won new life for us through his resurrection, opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each one of us to "ascend to heaven" and to bring "heaven to earth" in the daily circumstances of our lives. God's kingdom is present in those who seek him and who strive to do his will. Through the gift of faith God opens a door for each one of us to the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Do you see with the "eyes of faith" what the Lord Jesus has done for us? "Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for us. As you revealed yourself to your beloved patriarchs and apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may recognize your presence with me and know the power of your kingdom at work in my life. May I always find joy in your presence and never lose sight of your kingdom." Psalm 138:1-5 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the angels I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your mercy and your faithfulness; for you have exalted above everything your name and your word. 3. On the day I called, you answered me, my strength of soul you increased. 4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth; 5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. "Do you see how he [Jesus] leads him [Nathanael] up little by little from the earth and causes him no longer to imagine him as merely a man? For one to whom angels minister and on whom angels ascend and descend, how could he be a man? This is why he said, 'You shall see greater things than these.' And to prove this, he introduces the ministry of angels. What he means is something like this: Does this, O Nathanael, seem to you a great matter, and have you for this confessed me to be King of Israel? What then will you say when you see 'angels ascending and descending on me'? He persuades him by these words to receive him as Lord also of the angels. For on him as on the king's own son, the royal ministers ascended and descended, once at the season of the crucifixion, again at the time of the resurrection and the ascension, and before this also, when they 'came and ministered to him' (Matthew 4:11). They also ascended and descended when they proclaimed the good news of his birth and cried, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace' (Luke 2:14), when they came to Mary and also when they came to Joseph... Our Lord made the present a proof of the future. After the powers he had already shown, Nathanael would readily believe that much more would follow." (excerpt from the Homilies On the Gospel of John 21.1) - from