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Defending and Promoting the Faith
Luke 12:8-12
Petition:O Spirit of Truth, teach me both what I should say and leave unsaid. 1. Acknowledging Christ Before Others Christ our Lord is the first to realize how tough it might be at times to give bold witness to his name and to his way, not least of all in a world as materialistic and religiously indifferent as today’s is in many places. That is why he is prompt in giving us real motivations to stand firm and not waver: “Everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” Even if, perchance, a Christian were to blaspheme or go to the extreme of apostasy, Christ would forgive and forget the offense as long as the person were sincerely repentant: “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven.” However, what can God do to help a person who stubbornly refuses to repent up until death? All God can do is respect that person’s freedom. 2. Not Worrying About Your Defense This Gospel passage was addressed to the disciples who lived in the first decades of Christianity, in times of trial and persecution. Back then, the expectation was sometimes physical punishment, if not bloody martyrdom. Nevertheless, the exhortation to have no fear and not to worry about one’s defense also applies to our world today. In the twenty-first century, we know that there is such thing as a spiritual martyrdom, especially the challenge of opposition that could hurt us on the inside: criticism, attacks on one’s good name and honor, insults, etc. But even in this case, we should not be too concerned about our defense. The message of Christ is to prepare ourselves serenely to defend, as well as promote, our faith and look for assistance from the Holy Spirit when the moment comes to make a stand. 3. The Holy Spirit Will Teach You In truth, the Holy Spirit will never abandon us in our quest to follow Christ faithfully in the world, come what may. He is the first one interested to give us words of both prudence and boldness for challenging situations, for example, public defense of the faith or antagonistic situations with family members and colleagues opposed to our faith. Anyone who truly wants to be firm but prudent will find the right words by calling for the Holy Spirit’s assistance. The secret is to be steadfast in the truth as well as making the truth prevail by using the best means possible. That is why it is so wise to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in what ought to be said and what ought to be left unsaid. Dialogue with Christ: Lord Jesus, thank you for such an inspiring meditation. May I now realize that it is not just I who act, but you who live and act in me through the Holy Spirit you have sent to teach me. Resolution: I will read at least fifteen selected numbers of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an initial tool to know and defend my faith more.
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O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
| Psalm 140 (141) |
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| Prayer in time of danger |
| O Lord, I call on you, hurry to my help: listen to my voice when I call. When I make my prayer, let it rise like incense before you; when I raise my hands, let it be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard on my mouth, Lord, a watch upon my lips. Do not let my heart turn to evil thoughts, to the planning of wicked deeds, to alliance with wrongdoers. Let me not share in their delights. Let the just man strike and rebuke me out of kindness; but sinners shall never anoint me with oil, or I would be an ally in their plans. When they fall into the hands of harsh judges, they will see how kind my words were. Like fragments of spoil after digging, their bones will lie scattered round the mouth of the underworld. To you, Lord, to you my eyes are turned. I take refuge in you – preserve my life. Protect me from the trap they have laid for me, save me from the snares of the wicked. Let them be caught in their own nets, all of them, while I pass by in safety. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Psalm 141 (142) |
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| You are my refuge |
| My voice cries out to the Lord; my voice cries out its entreaty. I pour out lamentation in his sight, I proclaim my troubles before him. When my spirit is failing within me, still, Lord, you know my paths. On the road I was travelling, they set up a trap for me. I looked about me and saw there was no-one beside me to help. I have nowhere to flee; and no-one will miss me. I have cried to you Lord, I have said: “you are my refuge, my share in the land of the living. Listen to my call for help, for I am crushed down”. “Lead my spirit from prison, so that I may praise your name. The upright will gather around me, because you have restored me”. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
| Canticle | Philippians 2 |
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| Christ, God's servant | |
| Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Short reading | Romans 11:33 - 36 © |
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| How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen. | |
| Canticle | Magnificat |
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| My soul rejoices in the Lord | |
| My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. |
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| Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. |
| Almighty and ever-living God, make us devoted to doing your will and serving you in your majesty with sincere hearts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. |
| May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life. |
| A M E N |