A man once bragged that he had read the Bible from cover to cover several times. But someone remarked, “People who read the Bible from cover to cover, know only the cover.”
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Just reading the Bible is not enough. What’s most important is to ponder God’s message or what He is telling you and apply it in everyday life.
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For instance, after reading Jesus’ message to forgive not just seven times but 70 times seven (meaning unlimited) or the Ten Commandments “Honor your father and mother,” or “You shall not kill… steal,” you should then put these into practice considering these as the will of God.
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There’s a story about a priest and his friend, who owned a soap factory. As they were out taking a walk, the soap maker said cynically, “What good is religion? Look at all the troubles, violence, and miseries of the world a er thousands of years of preaching and exhortations about goodness, justice, and peace.”
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The priest said nothing. They continued walking until they noticed children playing in a muddy canal. Then the priest said, “Look at those kids. You say that soap makes people clean, but see the dirt on those youngsters. Of what good is your soap?”
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The soap maker got peeved and sharply reacted, “But, Father, you ought to know that soap cannot do any good unless it is used.”
“Ah exactly,” replied the priest. “So, it is with Christianity and its teachings. They are ineffective unless they are used or put into practice.”
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Jan. 18 to 24 is National Bible Week and culminates today. Let’s remember that the teachings of God as contained in the Bible are there not as a burden or restrict our freedom but rather serve to guide us and work for our own personal good and collectively as a nation.
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Take, for instance, God’s command of fidelity to one’s spouse. Some men feel restricted of their freedom to enjoy the company of other women or worse, grossly disregarding the vows they professed in marriage. Infidelity, however, inflicts deep emotional wounds, bitter quarrels, which leads to a broken family.
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Moreover, God’s command “Thou shalt not steal,” is imposed not only to restrict our greed or amass ill-gotten wealth but also the unabated violation of the commandment leads to the country’s economic morass and eventual perdition.
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When you think about it, there’s no other choice but to follow God’s will since it shows us the path to eternal life and true happiness. Not following His will is like an atheist (nonbeliever) who, when he dies, is all dressed up in the coffin but has nowhere to go!
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When Jesus’ countrymen turned their backs on a hard teaching about giving his Body and Blood as spiritual food and drink, the Lord said to his apostles, “Do you also want to go?” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom do we go? You have the words of eternal life and we have come to believe in you.”
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If you live a selfish, worldly and vice-ridden life, you will end up in eternal perdition. As a witty man puts it, “You will party in Hell but you will be the barbecue.”
But, providentially, there’s hope of salvation, that is, if we REPENT, make reparation, and live a new life in Christ.
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LAUGH WITH GOD. A small boy asked a friend why his 80year-old grandma was always reading the Bible. He replied: “Because she’s cramming for her Final Exam!”
Note: The Bible should not be read only when one is in the “pre-departure area” but must be read constantly as guide to God’s Kingdom.
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Question: Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible? Answer: Samson. He brought the house down.
Question: Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible? Answer: Moses. Because he broke all 10 Commandments at once (That is, when he threw down the stone tablet inscribed with the 10 Commandments).
Question: What do they call pastors in Germany? Answer: German Shepherds.
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BY THE WAY…I received a cell phone gi recently but I don’t need it since I already have one. With permission from the benevolent donor, I’m selling it and the proceed will go to help our seminarians and indigents we’re supporting.
Anyone who’s interested to buy, please e-mail me at: [email protected] or call 09175501886.
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FAMILY TV MASS is aired on TV5 One-Sport Channel 59, free TV Channel 41 from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday, and anytime at MCFI SVD media account on YouTube and Facebook. Priest presider: FR. ALFREDO ROLLON, SVD.
