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CFC Uk May Prayer Assembly Theme

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109 views

CFC Uk May Prayer Assembly Theme

Uploaded by

romeoalajar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RAISED UP TO NEW LIFE

CFC UK CHAPTER PRAYER ASSEMBLY


4 May 2024

ANCHOR VERSE:
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,
and they will see me” (Matthew 28:10)

EXPLANATION OF THE THEME/EXHORTATION:


Easter is one great celebration of the Catholic Church. It is considered the
“feasts of all feasts” and the “solemnities of all solemnities”. (CCC 1169). The
Resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of speculation of mystical experience. It is
an event which, while it surpasses history, nevertheless happens at a precise
moment in history and leaves an indelible mark upon it. It reveals to us that
through the power of Jesus’ resurrection, He takes away the darkness in our
lives and makes His light, peace and joy permeate us.

The challenge now is HOW WE LIVE AS RAISED UP PEOPLE. Many of us


may have had a fruitful and meaningful Lent but forgets to imbibe the Easter
spirit. It is good to remember that Easter is not just a one-day event. The Easter
season starts with the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil and lasts for 50 days, which
includes the Ascension of Christ, until the Feast of Pentecost. This long Easter
Season is a reminder of our calling- to LIVE AS RAISED UP PEOPLE. Every
Christian, baptized in water and the Holy Spirit, is called to live as if immersed
in an everlasting Easter and therefore to live as one who has been RAISED UP
TO NEW LIFE.

As RISEN people, let us look at Jesus’ instructions to the WOMEN during His
resurrection. He commanded the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee and
there they will see Him (Matthew 28:10). During the `Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil
Homily, He invited us to ponder the meaning of going back to Galilee. There
are two things that he pointed out. First is to remember our ORIGIN, second is
to DO GOD’s CALL for us.

To return to Galilee where everything started is to RELIVE our PERSONAL


ENCOUNTER with JESUS, may it be through His word, an event, or through
the people whom He sent us. When we talk about our origin, we cannot set
aside remembering our MOTHERS. It is not coincidental that we celebrate the
Month of our MOTHER MARY during the Easter season. This month is
dedicated to her since she is the person closest and dearest to Jesus. We rejoice
in Jesus’ redemptive act for mankind and remember the sacrifices that
MOTHER MARY DID FOR JESUS from birth until HIS PASSION and
DEATH. Even after Jesus’ death, she continued to be His disciple by being a
MOTHER to the Apostles and to the whole Church.

“EASTER” literally means “the feast of fresh flowers”. This is the month when
days are longer and fresh flowers blossom. A reminder of life and to remember
the person who brought Jesus to life here on earth. Just like MOTHER MARY
to JESUS, our- mothers-biological or spiritual, have a special place in our
hearts. It is only fitting that we also remember the person who brought us to this
world and sacrificed everything for us. We remember their love and the lessons
we gained from them.

Second, to return to Galilee is a call for us to move where God is leading us. It
is an invitation to leave our upper rooms-our locked, fearful, and doubtful hearts
and be open for mission. Our mission may have different faces- our family,
work, or service, yet whatever we are asked to do, we do it for the greater glory
of God. When Peter decided to go back to fishing to Galilee, he became
unsuccessful and caught nothing. (Jn 21:3). From this we can learn that we
cannot do everything on our own, we need the Lord to be with us. We need to
follow even His simplest instruction for our work to bear. AS we move forward
and do our work, let us be inspired by St Joseph, the worker, whose feast we
celebrate every 1st of May. This gives us a new perspective about work, that
every work that we do must always be in participation in the work of God.

Moving forward, we need the Holy Spirit to empower and grant us the zeal to
do His will. Mother Mary together with the Apostles gathered frequently as a
group to pray from Ascension leading to Pentecost (Acts 1:14). As we prepare
for Pentecost this 19 May, let us also prepare for the specific gift of the Holy
Spirit that we need so that we may live as truly RAISED UP PEOPLE.

YES! To live the Easter spirit- a truly risen life is to remember, to relive the
memories, people, Jesus’ encounters and even the challenges. All of these will
give us HOPE as we continue our journey, ready to embrace whatever lies
ahead of us, with the power of the Holy Spirit.

SHARERS’ PROFILES:
1. A brother/sister who became close to God and active in serving the
community through the inspiration of his/her mother. In the same way,
he/she is now also inspiring his/her children/family members to have a
deeper relationship with God and serve in the community.

2. A brother/sister who grew up without a biological mother but with God’s


grace, he/she found a spiritual mother (a family member/someone from
the community/a religious sister) who became his/her guide to be closer
to God.

3. A sister who faced challenges in bearing a child; she went through doubts
and frustrations in accepting God’s plan for her. Through the power of the
Holy Spirit, she realizes the many situations/events in her life wherein
God allowed her to be a mother. She is now embracing her calling as a
spiritual mother with much joy and gratitude in her heart.

4. A brother/sister who lost a job/business but did not give up. He/She
recalled the people and his/her Jesus’ encounters to be his/her inspiration
to have hope. Through the guidance of the Holy spirit, he/she continued
to strive in life and serve the Lord despite the challenges.

5. A bother/sister who was lured by his/her job. After going through a


challenge (e.g sickness, people becoming far, marital/family problems),
he/she realizes to slow down and seek God. He is now living a life
allowing God to be the master of the work and not his/her self.

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