Looking back at our baptism 2016-max

SharingRecall the night of your baptism.What was your experience like?What lingers in your memory?How did you feel?What touched you? Engaged you? Disengaged you?What did you hear, smell, see, taste?

(newly planted) from Greekneos New phytos Planted (a new convert )

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Did you go to Mass today?

What season of the Liturgical Year are we in?

What was the theme of the Mass?

What was the Gospel about?

What was the homily about?*

Two Donkey*

Holy ThursdayGood FridayEaster Sunday

4 distinct stages :-Service of the LightLiturgy of the WordLiturgy of BaptismLiturgy of the Eucharist

Blessing of the new fireThe Celebrant blesses the new fire: the celebrant and faithful gather around it and experience the flames dispelling the darkness and lighting up the night.

Central symbolic object of the Vigil because it represents the Risen Lord in His glory.

It is blessed and inserted with the 5 grains of incense now. The Easter candle is lighted from the new fire.

The Easter candle is lighted each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday.*

THE PASCHAL CANDLEThe Paschal candle represents Christ, the Light of the World.

The pure beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the womb of His Mother. The wick signifies His humanity, the flame, His Divine Nature, both soul and body.

Five grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.

During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night the priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the dark church. A new fire, symbolizing our eternal life in Christ, is kindled which lights the candle. The candle, representing Christ himself, is blessed by the priest who then inscribes in it a cross, the first letters and last of the Greek alphabet, (Alpha and Omega `the beginning and the end') and the current year, as he chants the prayer below; then affixes the five grains of incense.

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THE FIVE GRAINS OF INCENCEFive grains of incense inserted into the candle in the form of a cross recall the aromatic spices with which His Sacred Body was prepared for the tomb, and of the five wounds in His hands, feet, and side.

It is a majestic proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ, a dramatic invitation to heaven and earth to join with the Church in joy and jubilation. It is the rite of sanctification of light and night, of place and time, of priest and faithful for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord

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The Easter proclamation has survived nearly 2000 years of Christian music and stands as one of the finest of liturgical poetry. It captures the whole Easter mystery placed within the context of the economy of salvation and celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Liturgy of the Word4 Readings and 4 Psalms3 from the Old Testament2 from the New Testament including the Gospel Reading

Each reading is followed by an invitation to pray in silence, which is followed by a special prayer designed for that reading.These readings help us meditate on the wonderful works of God for his people since the beginning of time.The Gloria is sung before the reading of the Epistle of the Romans, and the Alleluia is sung before the Gospel.

Liturgy of Baptism litany of the saintsA prayer in to and in honour of the saints, appealing to them for help and divine protection.

Blessing of water The baptismal water is consecrated by a prayer of epiclesis. The Church asks God through his Son the power of the Holy Spirit may be sent upon the water, so that those who will be baptised in it may be born of water and the spirit.

The copious use of water during baptism is the most expressive outward sign of Gods gift of sanctifying grace in abundance: the water not only signifies the removal of but actually washes away original and all personal sins. Baptism makes the neophyte an adopted child of God and partaker of the divine nature.

It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity . You have put on Christ (Gal 3:27). *

The white garment symbolises the purity of a soul cleansed from all sin: the person baptised has put on Christ, has risen with Christ.The Godparents will light their candle from the Paschal candle for the neophytes. It signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In Him, the baptised are light of the world.

Beautiful prayer by Father : You have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ. Clothed in white garment, bring it unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ so that you may have everlasting life.*

Effects of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation - BaptismThrough Baptism we are freed from sin ....all sin, original sin & personal sinand reborn as children of God; ....we become members of Christ, .... an identity Christian - sharers in the prophetic, priestly and kingly mission of Christ.are incorporated into the Church .... as a baby is born into a family, so is the whole Church our familyand made sharers in her mission....

Next week will have session on this. A People sent church on a mission*

ConfirmationLAYING OF HANDS AND ANOINTING

The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. (CCC1324)

The Sacraments of Christian Initiation Holy EucharistBaptism is necessary to obtain a share in the life of God. The Eucharist is equally necessary to remain spiritually alive.

(..unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you willl have no life in you for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. John 6: 52, 55)

so we need the food and drink of the Holy Eucharist to stay alive in His grace. *

Holy EucharistAnyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of Penance. CCC 1415

(..Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Cor 11:28)

NEOPHYTE

To summarise The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. "The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. the faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. - CCC 1212

Referring to the baptized as "new born babes", the apostle Peter writes: "Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ... you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:4-5, 9).*

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And what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well

( 2 Tim 2:2)

"stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).

The word "tradition" is taken from the Latin 'trado, tradere' meaning to hand over, to deliver, or to bequeath. The teachings of Scripture are written down in the Bible, and are handed on, not only in writing, but also in the lives of those who live according to its teachings. The teachings of Tradition are not written down, but are lived and are handed on by the lives of those who lived according to its teachings, according to the example of Christ and the Apostles (1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15). This perpetual handing on of the teachings of Tradition is called a living Tradition; it is the transmission of the teachings of Tradition from one generation to the next.*

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AUTHORITY AND INFALLIBILITY I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19

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You are to be called Cephas Jesus to Peter in John 1:42Cephas in Aramaic (language spoken in Jesus time and by Jesus) = Rock and translated in english to mean Peter

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1st Precept

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation*

Hand phones and dress code*

We sanctify these days, keeping them holy by attending Mass and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.

2nd Precept

You shall confess your sins at least once a year*

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Ensures we prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament continues Baptisms work of conversion and forgiveness.

If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 JOHN 1: 8

If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 JOHN 1 :10

All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal. 1 John 5:17

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3rd Precept

You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season*

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Guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lords Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian Liturgy .

4th Precept

You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation*

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completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary and the saints.Ascension or our LordAssumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryAll Saints' DayChristmas

5th Precept

You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence*

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Ensures the times of penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts;-they help us acquire control over our instincts and freedom of heart.

The Church requires fasting and abstinence as signs of repentance.

Repentance means to turn away from sin and turn back to God.

FASTING one full meal and two half meals

From sunrise to sundown.All Catholics age 18 to 59, except those who have a legitimate need to eat a normal meal, e.g.-the sick or infirm-pregnant or nursing women-some manual labourers.

ABSTINENCE -not eating meat. (Canon Law 1251)

-From 12 midnight to the following 12 midnight.

All Catholics 14 years and older. (Canon Law . 1252)

The Code of Canon Law prescribes (Canons 1250-1252):

Can. 1250: The penitential days and times in the Universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252: The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

In the Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared that the faithful are to follow the rules on fasting and abstinence as being set forth in the Code of Canon Law (refer: Catholic Directory of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei 2010)*

The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities. CCC2043*

2 Cor 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, fo God loves a cheerful giver*

The Period of Mystagogia

Mystagogia: an ancient Greek word meaning "education in the sacred mysteries". It describes the life of a Christian believer after baptism and the first initiation rites - that is, the growth of the mind and heart in the ancient Christian faith.

This period lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season 50 days on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process. You are now called neophytes (new light) . You reflect on what you have just gone through ad look to the future as to how you can share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation to the whole world. This is the period of time that reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together as community. Christian believers in the first century described this phase of continuing spiritual instruction that followed the rites of initiation what next? What is this new life for? Mystagogy, traditionally and historically a period of great catechesis in the Church, the neophytes gathered together for eucharist on Sunday donning the white garment of the believer. Seeing with the eyes of the heart. Emphasis on the Eucharist- strong encouragement to participate in the Eucharist.*

The Fourth Phase: The Period of Mystagogia The period of mystagogia is a time for: living a sacramental life living out the gospel way of life becoming more involved in the parish

Know your sacraments- race horse*

Living out the faithRemain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. John 15:4

The imagery of the vine is a very powerful one -The prophets in the Old Testament used the image of the vine to describe the chosen people. Israel is God's vine, the Lord's own work, the joy of his heart: "I have planted you a choice vine" (Jer 2:21); "Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard transplanted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water" (Ez 19:10); Jesus himself once again takes up the symbol of the vine and uses it to illustrate various aspects of the Kingdom of God: "A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower and let it out to tenants and went into another country" (Mk 12:1; cf. Mt 21:28 ff.).John the Evangelist invites us to go further and leads us to discover the mystery of the vine: it is the figure and symbol not only of the People of God, but of Jesus himself. He is the vine and we, his disciples, are the branches. He is the "true vine", to which the branches are engrafted to have life. The Second Vatican Council, making reference to the various biblical images that help to reveal the mystery of the Church, proposes again the image of the vine and the branches: "Christ is the true vine who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us. Through the Church we abide in Christ, without whom we can do nothing (Jn 15:1-5)"(12). The Church herself, then, is the vine in the gospel. We the disciples of Christ is called to a completely new way of life. To live this new life, we must stay close to him. Vine Christ branches people of God. (Church)*

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."Hosea 4:6

CONTRACEPTIVES;PRO LIFE ABORTIONS EUTHANASIAFAMILY PLANNING

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GROWTH IN THE SPIRIT(VERTICAL DIMENSION)SACRAMENT;STUDY;SERVICE;SUPPORT GROUP & COMMUNITY;SOLITUDE & PRAYER.MASSRECONCILIATION

What is sacramental living?Living out of a normal Catholic spiritual life; a life within the Church in which the Christian fulfills his/her vocation.(vocare Latin to call)

A vocation, from the Latin vocare (verb, to call), is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in secular contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity. The idea of vocation is central to the Christian belief that God has created each person with gifts and talents oriented toward specific purposes and a way of life. In the broader sense, Christian vocation includes the use of one's gifts in their profession, family life, church and civic commitments for the sake of the greater common good.*

SACRAMENTAL LIVINGDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good, acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:2

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The point of all the sacraments is to make us holy, to make us radiate with God's own life, and to bring us to heaven. That is the great mission of the Holy Spirit. *

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Gods ultimate plan for us that we may: ...attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13)"Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians." 2 Cor 13:9press on to maturity (Heb 6:1)*

*ENABLE THE ENABLER;WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE -GOD IS ABLE;WHEN YOU ARE ABLE -YOU DISABLE THE ENABLER;BE ABLE TO ENABLE THE ENABLER;DONT DISABLE THE HOLY SPIRITDONT WAIT TILL YOU ARE DISABLED SPIRITUALLY !

The Charismatic Gifts empowers the "Doingto build the ChurchThe Sanctifying Gifts roots the "Beingto bear fruits*

The Acts of the Apostles continues down to our own day. God wants to write new chapters, with each of us and that includes you playing an important role. The wind is still blowing. The fire of the Holy Spirit still burns. Each of us, however, needs to let the Holy Spirit in to do his work. Each of us has to allow the Holy Spirit to bring about a similar miracle in us. *

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At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.*

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If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing1 Corinthians 13:2"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."1 Corinthians 13:1

Charisms are therefore graces bestowed by the Holy Spirit on certain members of the faithful to prepare them to contribute to the common good of the Church.Pope John Paul II

Address to participants in the Second International Conference of Ecclesial Movements, 2 March 1987, L'Osservatore Romano English edition, 16 March 1987, *

GROW IN THE SPIRIT Do not neglect the gift that is in you 1 Timothy 4:14-15

NOT FOR SELF GLORIFICATION*

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Here am I, the servant of the Lord; Let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38) *

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You say: "It's impossible

God says: All things are possible (Lk18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"God says: I will give you rest (Matt11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody loves me"

God says: I love you (Jn3:16 & Jn13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient (2Cor12:9)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I FORGIVE YOU (1Jn 1:9 & Rm8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs.(Phil 4:19)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things (Phil4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able (2Cor9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it (Rm8:28)

You say:"I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2Tim1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on ME (1Pet5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"

God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Rom12:3)

You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5)

*Did you go to Mass today?

What season of the Liturgical Year are we in?

What was the theme of the Mass?

What was the Gospel about?

What was the homily about?*Two Donkey*

The Easter candle is lighted each day during Mass throughout the Paschal season until Ascension Thursday.*During the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night the priest or deacon carries the candle in procession into the dark church. A new fire, symbolizing our eternal life in Christ, is kindled which lights the candle. The candle, representing Christ himself, is blessed by the priest who then inscribes in it a cross, the first letters and last of the Greek alphabet, (Alpha and Omega `the beginning and the end') and the current year, as he chants the prayer below; then affixes the five grains of incense.

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*It signifies and actually brings about death to sin and entry into the life of the Most Holy Trinity . You have put on Christ (Gal 3:27). *Beautiful prayer by Father : You have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ. Clothed in white garment, bring it unstained to the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ so that you may have everlasting life.*Next week will have session on this. A People sent church on a mission*so we need the food and drink of the Holy Eucharist to stay alive in His grace. *Referring to the baptized as "new born babes", the apostle Peter writes: "Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ... you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pt 2:4-5, 9).*

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*The word "tradition" is taken from the Latin 'trado, tradere' meaning to hand over, to deliver, or to bequeath. The teachings of Scripture are written down in the Bible, and are handed on, not only in writing, but also in the lives of those who live according to its teachings. The teachings of Tradition are not written down, but are lived and are handed on by the lives of those who lived according to its teachings, according to the example of Christ and the Apostles (1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15). This perpetual handing on of the teachings of Tradition is called a living Tradition; it is the transmission of the teachings of Tradition from one generation to the next.*

*You are to be called Cephas Jesus to Peter in John 1:42Cephas in Aramaic (language spoken in Jesus time and by Jesus) = Rock and translated in english to mean Peter

*Hand phones and dress code*

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*The Code of Canon Law prescribes (Canons 1250-1252):

Can. 1250: The penitential days and times in the Universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Can. 1251: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Can. 1252: The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.

In the Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared that the faithful are to follow the rules on fasting and abstinence as being set forth in the Code of Canon Law (refer: Catholic Directory of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei 2010)*2 Cor 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, fo God loves a cheerful giver*This period lasts from Easter Sunday until the completion of the Easter season 50 days on Pentecost Sunday and completes the initiation process. You are now called neophytes (new light) . You reflect on what you have just gone through ad look to the future as to how you can share in the mission of Christ who came to bring salvation to the whole world. This is the period of time that reminds the whole church that life in Christ constantly calls us to grow and to look for new ways to live the life of grace, personally and together as community. Christian believers in the first century described this phase of continuing spiritual instruction that followed the rites of initiation what next? What is this new life for? Mystagogy, traditionally and historically a period of great catechesis in the Church, the neophytes gathered together for eucharist on Sunday donning the white garment of the believer. Seeing with the eyes of the heart. Emphasis on the Eucharist- strong encouragement to participate in the Eucharist.*Know your sacraments- race horse*The imagery of the vine is a very powerful one -The prophets in the Old Testament used the image of the vine to describe the chosen people. Israel is God's vine, the Lord's own work, the joy of his heart: "I have planted you a choice vine" (Jer 2:21); "Your mother was like a vine in a vineyard transplanted by the water, fruitful and full of branches by reason of abundant water" (Ez 19:10); Jesus himself once again takes up the symbol of the vine and uses it to illustrate various aspects of the Kingdom of God: "A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a pit for the winepress, and built a tower and let it out to tenants and went into another country" (Mk 12:1; cf. Mt 21:28 ff.).John the Evangelist invites us to go further and leads us to discover the mystery of the vine: it is the figure and symbol not only of the People of God, but of Jesus himself. He is the vine and we, his disciples, are the branches. He is the "true vine", to which the branches are engrafted to have life. The Second Vatican Council, making reference to the various biblical images that help to reveal the mystery of the Church, proposes again the image of the vine and the branches: "Christ is the true vine who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us. Through the Church we abide in Christ, without whom we can do nothing (Jn 15:1-5)"(12). The Church herself, then, is the vine in the gospel. We the disciples of Christ is called to a completely new way of life. To live this new life, we must stay close to him. Vine Christ branches people of God. (Church)*CONTRACEPTIVES;PRO LIFE ABORTIONS EUTHANASIAFAMILY PLANNING

*A vocation, from the Latin vocare (verb, to call), is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in secular contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity. The idea of vocation is central to the Christian belief that God has created each person with gifts and talents oriented toward specific purposes and a way of life. In the broader sense, Christian vocation includes the use of one's gifts in their profession, family life, church and civic commitments for the sake of the greater common good.*

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**ENABLE THE ENABLER;WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE -GOD IS ABLE;WHEN YOU ARE ABLE -YOU DISABLE THE ENABLER;BE ABLE TO ENABLE THE ENABLER;DONT DISABLE THE HOLY SPIRITDONT WAIT TILL YOU ARE DISABLED SPIRITUALLY !The Acts of the Apostles continues down to our own day. God wants to write new chapters, with each of us and that includes you playing an important role. The wind is still blowing. The fire of the Holy Spirit still burns. Each of us, however, needs to let the Holy Spirit in to do his work. Each of us has to allow the Holy Spirit to bring about a similar miracle in us. *

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*GROW IN THE SPIRIT Do not neglect the gift that is in you 1 Timothy 4:14-15

NOT FOR SELF GLORIFICATION*

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