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COUPLES FOR CHRIST

PASTORAL HOUSEHOLD PRAYER MEETING
June 05, 2024, 7:00 pm, F2F
(Host: Bro. Ben & Sis Fia De Chavez)

Gospel Reading: Mark 12: 18-27

18
Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and put this question to
him, 19 saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child,
his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’ 20 Now there were seven
brothers. The first married a woman and died, leaving no descendants. 21 So the second married her
and died, leaving no descendants, and the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no descendants. Last
of all the woman also died. 23 At the resurrection [when they arise] whose wife will she be? For all
seven had been married to her.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Are you not misled because you do not
know the scriptures or the power of God? 25 When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor
are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. 26 As for the dead being raised, have
you not read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, ‘I am the
God of Abraham, [the] God of Isaac, and [the] God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead but of
the living. You are greatly misled.”

Worship Songs:

1. Sure Foundation
2. Victory to Our King
3. Have Your Way

Topic: Humility and Obedience in Christ

Session1
THE SLAVE GOD
ANCHOR VERSE:
"…Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness." Philippians 2:6-
7(NABRE)
The Divine Descent
Jesus, who is eternal, divine, all-powerful, and resides in the splendor of heaven in perfect communion with
the Father, chose to leave the majesty of heaven to dwell among us, taking on our very own human nature.

A) The Father's Love

For this reason the apostles confess Jesus to be the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God”; as the image of the invisible God; as the “radiance of the glory of
God and the very stamp of his nature." (CCC 241)

B) Humility for Humanity

Jesus came down from heaven and us. He emptied Himself of His Divine privileges.

Incarnation – “The fact that to the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation
in it"(CCC461)
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Kenosis - The Greek term for "the act of emptying”, in Christian Theology it means the "self-emptying of
Jesus. (source: Catholic Encyclopedia through https/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosis)

C) Condescension of the Triune God

Synkatabasis - The Greek word for “going down together with" or "stooping' in Christology, the
"condescension" of God below His transcendence (nature and power) for the purpose of creation.
(source: Catholic Encyclopedia through https://on wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncatabasis#References)

Pentecost - The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles; the birth of the Christian Church
(source: https:www.britannica.com/topic/Pentecost-Christianity, https://aleteia.org/2021/05/23/why-is-
pentecost-oalled-the birthday-of-the-church/)

The Servant King

Through this humble act of Kenosis, Jesus exemplified the role of a true King, that is, to be the servant of all.
He came not to be served but to serve (cf. Matthew 20:28), dedicating His whole life to serving God and His
people.

A) The Willing Servant

"Christ, King, and Lord of the universe made himself the servant of all, for he came 'not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (CCC 786)

B) All for Love's Sake

The God who went all the way down became like us with all our limitations. Only love can make this
possible. Only love can self-empty Himself for His beloved. God did it for love. He is love Himself. (cf 1
John 4:7-16)

Emptying to be Full (Humility in Christ)

God invites us to imitate Christ's humility. We are called to stoop down, to empty ourselves, and sacrifice
for others, to descend from our man-made status, and be in communion with God's people. It's about making
space in our hearts for God's love to flow through us.

A) What is Humility?
Our Catechism tells us that humility is "the virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author
of all good. "Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride and provides the foundation for turning to God in
prayer. (CCC 2559) Voluntary humility can be described as "poverty of spirit" (CCC 2546).

B) God's Will, Our Joy

As CFC leaders, we are also called to follow Christ's path of humility. Just as Christ emptied Himself for
our sake, we are called to pour ourselves out for the sake of others and the glory of God. "Whoever wishes to
be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mark 10:44)

Session 2
THE OBEDIENT KING
ANCHOR VERSE:
"…and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a
cross.” Philippians 2:7-8 (NABRE)

Unwavering Obedience
He dedicated His life in complete obedience to His Father. He knew His purpose, His mission. "I came down
from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me" (John 6:38).

A) Submission to Earthly Authorities

Allowed himself to be baptized by John the Baptist despite John trying to prevent him, asking that Jesus
should be the one to baptize him (cf. Matthew 3:13-15). He obeyed His parents (cf. Luke 2:51-52). His
response to the question about paying taxes emphasizes obedience to civil authority (cf. Mark 12:17).
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B) Trust and Obedience to His Father in Everything

In everything He did, Jesus exemplified complete trust and obedience. Every word He spoke and every
action He took aligned perfectly with His Father's will not once did He step outside of God's will.

C) Even Unto Death

In His most sorrowful and desolate moment, He still obeyed God and His will. The night before His
crucifixion, He was in deep agony. He pleaded to God in prayer, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39).

What is Obedience?
"To obey (from the Latin- ob-audire, to "hear or listen to") in faith is to submit freely to the word that has
been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself." (CCC 144)

Your Will Be Done

We too are called to emulate Christ's obedience and His total surrender to the will of God. However, the
journey to obedience is not always easy. It is often filled with obstacles that challenge us.

Obstacles in Our Obedience to God's Will (3 Ps)

1. Pleasure / Privilege
2. Power
3. Pride

The Law of Love

We obey God not as a way to earn His love, but it is our response to our desire to love Him who
unconditionally loves us and willingly offered Himself for us. Our obedience to Him will always be rooted
in love.

For Jesus, love is the basis of everything, and obedience is the only proof of love. A trusting love makes us
safe from disaster and leads us to experience an ever-deeper revelation of God's love. The more we love
God, the more we understand. Fellowship with God and the revelation of God depend on love. (Cardinal
Sean P. O'Malley)

Session 3
CALL TO SERVANTHOOD
ANCHOR VERSE
Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the
name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 (NABRE)

Be Like Jesus
“Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)

Christ showed us that being a servant is putting the needs of others before our own. Christ Himself said that
He came into the world not to be served, but to serve. (cf. Mark 10:45)

A) Servant to the Father

Jesus was always connected to the Father. Like Jesus, may we always seek the Father's will in everything
we do. Let us discern God's will in every judgment, decision, and service entrusted to us.

B) Servant Leader
We are servant-leaders, we serve together with our members, and we are called to know what they are going
through on the ground because we have been there with them. Like Jesus who washed the dirty feet of His
apostles, may we be inclusive in our service towards our members, not choosing in terms of convenience or
familiarity.
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C) Servant of All
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

Like Jesus, may we be of service not only to those under our flock but also to the last, the least, and the lost.
May we not be content in serving only within our comfort zones, our households, and our chapters.

Community of Servants
We are all called to servant hood. Every encounter with the Lord prompts an inner transformation, a
preparation for a greater task ahead. How did the Lord call you?

A) Governance
The task of governance does not make us greater than others. Some are given this responsibility. Pope
Francis calls this the responsibility of governance in lay groups. An ecclesial service. To govern is to
serve."

Obstacles in Governance:
1. Lust for Power
2. Disloyalty

B) Team of Servants.
We become light by becoming a servant in the truest sense of the word. Beyond being a Service Team, we
are a Team of Servants - a people called to witness Christ's servant hood, becoming light to others.

The Fruit of Humility and Obedience to Christ

“Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name...” (Phil.
2:9). The Lord exalted Jesus as a fruit of His humility and obedience to the Father. Our humility and
obedience to Christ lead us to the path of sainthood and to abundant blessings.

A) Sainthood
We are made for greatness and ultimately, sainthood is what we are all called for.

Servants of God
"The title given to a candidate for sainthood whose cause is still under investigation, prior to being declared
Venerable." (USCCB)

B) Abundant Blessings.
“All these blessings will come upon you and overwhelm you when you obey the voice of the Lord, your
God." (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Becoming Light to the Nations.

"I will make you a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)
Someone who is truly enlightened by the light of Christ naturally shines the light of Christ to others.

It is not enough to receive light; one must become light." (Pope Francis)

Whenever we are feeling inadequate in our service, remember it is the Lord who will give us whatever we
need!

Session 4
AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD
ANCHOR VERSE
"…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (NABRE)

The Promise: God's Faithfulness to the Family.

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From "the beginning," God's commitment to us has been consistent and perfect. He provided everything in
the Garden for the first married couple. He showed the greatest care by minding the smallest detail for man
and woman, that everything He created had purpose and meaning for perfect leisure, labor, and love.

When the devil challenged God's faithfulness and then Original Sin was committed, He immediately offered
a remedy ("I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; they will
strike at your head, while you strike at their heel." Genesis 3:15 NABRE) to man and woman's failure to
choose love.

God's devotion to us is constant. Scripture and history are proofs of this, and His faithfulness to Abraham's
family and Joshua remains the same for our families today. Though fallen in nature, through Christ's
humility and obedience, we are redeemed.

The Plan: God's Design for the Family

God's faithfulness to us as His beloved creation is reflected in His plan for the family, rooted in His plan for
the person and marriage. As we are created in God's image and likeness, so is every marriage and family
called to mirror God. It is through a total commitment to this design, first given in Genesis 1:28 ("Be
fertile/and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air,
and all the living things that crawl on the earth.") that we can also fulfill our purpose and destiny.

The Power: The Gift of the Holy Spirit to the Family to Be a Servant and a Light of Christ
The family is the hope and the solution. Joshua was very aware of this, and even if he was unsure whether
the people would follow him, he committed himself and his family by declaring, “As for me and my
household, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15 (NABRE). This was a deciding point for him, and he
prayed that the others would receive the gift and be led to the decision.

Amidst a broken generation of people who worshipped the gods of their ancestors despite the numerous
times the Lord has saved them, Joshua served the Lord by obeying His commandments and proclaiming His
faithfulness. He awakened them and made them return to the Lord. "Then the people promised Joshua, We
will serve the Lord, our God, and will listen to his voice" (Joshua 24:24).

Discussion Starter: (5 – 7 Minutes)

You may choose just one or more among the 4 sessions for your key takeaways.
1. The Slave King
2. The Obedient King
3. Call To Servant hood
4. As For Me & My Household, We Will Serve The Lord