“Daring to be the voice that stands for, and upholds the Truth!”

(Based on Heb 13:1-8 and Mk 6:14-29 – Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A particular prime minister of a country – outspoken and audacious – heavily denounced the policies and atrocities of his predecessor, who was a dictator.

Once during a public meeting, as he censured the former dictator with stringent words…
… he was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience:
“You were one of the colleagues of the former dictator, isn’t it?

Why didn’t you stop him then?”

“WHO SAID THAT?” roared the prime minister!

This thundering question bellowed and boomed…
… causing an agonizing and fearful silence to prevail among the audience.!

No body dared to move a muscle!

There was complete hush among them all

After a few moments of silence…
… the premier softly replied: “Now you know why!”
“I was afraid to have my voice heard… so that I could be safe!”

The prime minister confessed his fear in “being a voice that was heard” so that he could shield his life…
… and thus ‘played safe!’

The Gospel of the Day is however, in stark contrast to this trend – with the presentation of the Bold and Courageous Voice of St John the Baptist…
… who “made his voice heard” – in standing and upholding the truth
… and who had to offer his life as a martyr for the Truth!

The Gospel presents before the Brutal Beheading of the Voice – St John the Baptist!
The voice was powerful.
The voice was a hope to many.
The voice, however, also disturbed a few… disturbed even to the point of revenge and vengeance.

And……slit…..! The voice was silenced!!

The Beheading of John the Baptist is one of the most brutal and visually-powerful incident in the entire Gospel.

John the Baptist was a Prophet.

And a True Prophet is a truth-teller!

As we read in today’s Gospel, this True Prophet, John, was the whistle-blower in crying “foul” over the illegitimate relationship between Kind Herod and his brother’s wife, Herodias.

Herodias hated John the Baptist.

Herodias hated him because he told the truth and she didn’t like the truth.

Herodias was determined to twist the truth into a lie and the lie into a truth.
Herodias, at her earliest opportunity, would seek to direct her revenge upon the truth teller!
Herodias wanted to get rid of that “crazy man” who was determined to put a moral mirror in front of her face.

Herodias, wanted this Voice to be silent!!

To silence the true voices of the society, is the bane of any generation….

How many voices-of-correction by the parents, is put to silence by disobedient children….

How many voices-of-moral lives by the Church, is put to silence, by modernists and liberalists…

How many voices-of-peace by innocent people, is put to silence, by fanatics and fundamentalists…

How many voices-of-indiscrimination by the citizens, is put to silence, by a negligent government…

How many voices-of-repentance by a spouse, is put to silence by a drunkard or an irresponsible partner…

How many a voices-of-holiness by the Lord, is put to silence, by superfluous spiritualities and comfy theologies..

The Voice of Truth cries…
… but how many of us, seek to silence it!

Yes, the lives of Conscience-movers and truth-tellers are always at a risk.

And this risk can even lead one to be a misfit in the society…
… to be “different from others”
… to even risk one’s life!

St John the Baptist had the courage to be the truth-teller and risk his life, even to be a martyr.

What are the characteristics of a True Martyr?

Martyrs get killed not just for their convictions…
… but for EXPRESSING their convictions:

‘Play Safe’ is an ad-tag in which many Christians find refuge.
“Keep your mouth shut”…
“Don’t offend people around us”…
“It is better to be silent than sorry”…

These are some of the common phrases which we Christians adopt, in moments of injustice, corruption, inequality & unfairness!

But true Martyrs EXPRESSED and ARTICULATED and DISPLAYED and UTTERED their faith!….

Yes, they WITNESSED their FAITH as a true MARTYR!

A true Martyr is a bold Witness!

St John the Baptist was not silent…
… he expressed and articulated the mistakes – and he was martyred!

Martyrs don’t get swayed by popular opinions and cheap popularity

A true martyr is not one who checks the pulse of public opinion and makes a statement to please and satisfy people.

He has the guts…
… to go against an oppressive and discrimination culture
… to voice out against an unjust and demeaning authority
… to stand firm in the midst of rippled spiritualities and patterns!

St John the Baptist was unfazed and unmoved before the Royal immoral powers…
… and he was martyred!

Martyrs are willing and prepared to lay down their lives.
Martyrs are not sadists or escapists…
… who want to die for some pleasure / even to run away from the grinds of life!

Rather, they are people who are wholly prepared and enthusiastically willing to die, for the sake of their convictions!
They are passionate and intensely in love with their faith and their convictions!

St John the Baptist knew that he was walking precariously on the rope of risks…
… and he was always ready for it!

Today, on this First Friday of the Month, You and I…. are invited to be a voice…
… in a voiceless
… in a voice-oppressed
… in a voice-drowned
… in a voice-killed…world!

St John the Baptist dared to be that VOICE – “I am the voice…!” (Jn 1:23)

Shall we too dare?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRITS – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

The second commandment forbids the abuse of God’s name
i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ…

… but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints. (CCC # 2146)

“Entrusting ourselves totally to the Lord and allowing even our flaws to bloom and bless others!”

(Based on Heb 12:18-19, 21-24 and Mk 6:7-13 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A common story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots…
… each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it.

While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk…
… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer:

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.

The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”

The pot replied: “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load.

Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:

“Today as we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the path along your side.”

As they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

At the end of the trail, the bearer said to the pot:

“Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.

I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.

Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house!”

As a Christian, each of us are expected to perform our role in mission

This requires that we be just the way we are…
… but totally offered to the Hands of the Master, knowing for sure that He will supplement all our flaws with His Grace!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission…
… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

There were crowds of people following of persons attracted to Him

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
… the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
… the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes…
“Challenges are what makes life interesting…
… and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…

He remained courageous and determined.
He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
… with an authority over unclean spirits
… to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this mission joureney, the Lord gave a few instructions and principles…
“… to take nothing for the journey
… whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place…” ( Mk 6: 8-10)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to totally depend on the Lord
… to not get discouraged even in the face of apparent flaws and failures

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…
… we have a duty entrusted to us – a duty for the Kingdom of God

Do I totally dependant on the Lord and have the Lord as my Strength…
…or do I tend to get self-reliant and too proud on my own talents and potentials, with no room for the Lord?

Do I get easily disheartened when things don’t go as I plan or when I feel that I am not being “successful” in what I am doing…
… or do I know for sure that even with all my weaknesses, the Lord will employ me for His Glory, if I trust in Him?

Christian missionary life is a journey

There will be situations when we feel that I am not living up to my expectations

But the Lord, Who is holding us, over His shoulders assures us:
“I have always known about your flaws…
… and I take advantage of that.

Just be the way you are – but offer yourself to me totally and trust in me – and you will participate in my plan of bringing Beauty to the House of God!”

Yes, the Lord plants flower seeds of joy, peace and love on the way

And if we entrust ourselves totally to Him…
… even our flaws, can become occasions to have these seeds to bloom and bless others!

Shall we – in the words of St Francis de Sales – “Be what we are, and be at its best”…
… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?

Let us today seek the intercession of St Gonzalo Garcia – the first Saint of Indian origin – along with St Paul Miki and companions…
… and be inspired by the courage and conviction of these “Martyrs of Nagasaki!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

The faithful should bear witness to the Lord’s Name by confessing the faith without giving way to fear.

Preaching and catechizing should be permeated with adoration and respect for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (CCC # 2145)

“Affirming the deserving status and recognition of the Lord’s presence in our lives!”

(Based on Heb 12:4-7, 11-15 and Mk 6:1-6 – Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A distinguished actor had a large photograph of William Wordsworth (= a major English Romantic poet)…
… prominently displayed in his dressing-room.

A friend, who came to see this actor and observing the picture remarked with some surprise…
“Hmmm… I see!

So you are an admirer of Wordsworth?”

“Wordsworth? Who’s that?” enquired back the actor.

“Why, that’s his picture,” was the answer, as the friend pointed towards the image “That’s William Wordsworth, the literary giant. This picture would surely have cost you a fortune!”

The actor looked at the photograph with a bemused gaze!

“Is that old guy, a famous poet?” he exclaimed in astonishment!

“Oh! Who bothers about these old guys! I just picked up that frame from my storehouse, to fill the empty space on my wall!!”

The picture that was hung on the wall failed to acquire its deserved status and recognition …
… due to the ignorance of the actor
… due to his contempt for and prejudice towards old guys

How often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…
… due to our ignorance
… our contempt of things
… and our prejudiced mindsets!

The Gospel of the Day is presentation of this “rejection” experience of the Lord in His hometown.

The Lord arrives in His hometown.

On the Sabbath, He taught in the synagogue.

The Gospel mentions a juxtaposition of feelings of the listeners…

First, there is a great expression of marvel and wonder:

“Where did this Man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to Him? What deeds of power are being by Him?” (Mk 6:2)

But this feeling quickly vanishes…

The feelings of wonder and amazement get distorted to feelings of contempt, condemnation and outright rejection:

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not His sisters here with us?” (Mk 6:2)

What was the cause of this sudden and dramatic change of mood of the listeners?

It was because Jesus was “just one of them”
… and was “too acquainted to them!”

Familiarity often breeds contempt!

When one is too close to Divine aspects, one has to be also aware that there are greater possibilities of losing the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”

When one is constantly handling Divine objects, there is also the greater chance of losing the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent”

How many of us are prone to this danger….

Priests and the Religious constantly handle Divine objects and perform many spiritual exercises…

Daily Holy Mass… Frequent recital of the Psalms in the Divine Office Prayer… Regular Adorations and administering and receiving of the Sacraments… Recurrent handling of the Bible, liturgical articles, reading and hearing Church teachings and life of saints….

Do all these help one to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord…?

Or do these cause one to lose the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted?”

Many Christians are engaged in a number of spiritual activities on a regular basis…

Holy Eucharistic celebration… novenas… recital of the Rosary and other pious prayers of devotion… forwarding of devotional messages, pictures and videos through emails and Whatsapp and social networking tools…

Do all these help one to grow in spiritual life….?

Or do these make one to lose the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent?”

The people failed to recognize the worth and value of Jesus due to “too much familiarity”.

However this familiarity was only “external and peripheral”…

Such kind of a familiarity had, in fact, caused them to be ignorant, contemptuous and prejudiced…

Ignorant… of the fact that amidst them was the Promised Messiah who was to save the world!
Contemptuous… of the fact that “one of them” could actually possess so much of wisdom and power!
Prejudiced… of the fact that “this ordinary Son of a carpenter” could ever be the Son of God!

Yes, how often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…!

We are invited today to “open our eyes”…
… and to realize the worth and preciousness of God’s grace that we have been blessed with…

Each of us – personally, as a family, as a community, and as a Church – has been blessed and graced with immense favours and kindness from the Lord.

True that we have much to complain in the maze of the many crisis we undergo..

Yet amidst all this…

Can we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and gratitude for the Lord’s Guiding Presence with us, always…
… and learn to grow deeper in our love for Him?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Are these feelings of fear and awe Christian feelings or not?
… I say this, then, which I think no one can reasonably dispute.
They are the class of feelings we should have — yes, have to an intense degree — if we literally had the sight of Almighty God;
Therefore they are the class of feelings which we shall have, if we realize His presence.
In proportion as we believe that He is present, we shall have them…

… and not to have them, is not to realize, not to believe that He is present. (CCC # 2144)

“Letting go of every ‘Fear’ in our lives, by having deeper ‘Faith’ in the Lord!”

(Based on Heb 12:1-4 and Mk 5:21-43 – Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Here is a story of a mother and her little four-year-old daughter were getting ready to retire for the night.

The child was afraid of darkness.

The mother, alone with the child, felt a little fearful as well.

When the room lights were put off, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window.

“Mother,” she asked with innocence, “is the moon, God’s light?”

“Yes, my child” said the mother “God’s light is always shining.”

The next doubt was, “Will God blow out His light and go to sleep?”

The mother smiled at her and replied, “No, my child. God never goes to sleep.”

Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said that which gave reassurance to the fearful mother: “Well, so long as God is awake, I am not afraid!”

The assurance that God was with them, made the little child courageous and strong!

Deep faith casts away every fear…!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful journey, with Jesus, in this movement from “Fear” through “Faith”…
… Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death, is led from the “fear of death and hopelessness” through “faith” to experience the miracle of restoration of life
… The woman with haemorrhage for twelve years is led from the “fear of shame and depression” through “faith” to experience the miracle of cleansing and wholeness of life.

The Gospel passage of the day is one of the many “sandwich” passages in the Gospel of St Mark.

“Sandwich” stories are a literary technique in which the narration of one story begins…
… but is interrupted by another story, before finishing the first one.

Some of the examples of these “sandwich stories” are…

In Mk 3: 20-35, we have…

Mk 3:20-22: Jesus’ family members set out to seize Him
Mk 3: 23-30: Jesus speaks to the Pharisees on their accusation of Him
Mk 3: 31-35: Jesus family comes to meet Him

In Mk 6: 7-33, we have…

Mk 6: 7-13: The disciples sent on a mission
Mk 6: 14-29: Herod’s opinion on John the Baptist and the narrative of the beheading.
Mk 6: 30-33: The disciples return from the mission

In Mk 11: 12-25, we have…

Mk 11: 12-14: Jesus cursing the fig tree
Mk 11: 15-19: Jesus cleansing the Temple
Mk 11: 20-24: Jesus’ teaching on the withered fig tree

In Mk 14: 1-11, we have…

Mk 14: 1-2: The Conspiracy against Jesus
Mk 14: 3-9: The anointing of Jesus at Bethany
Mk 14: 10-11: The conspiracy plan by Judas to betray Jesus

Such kind of “sandwich” layers illustrates points for reflection by showing ..
… similarities and contrasts between the outside and the inside layers.
… the first and the last as “the bread”‘ and the centre one as the “filling” of the sandwich!

Today’s Gospel also follows this “sandwich-story” structure… Mk 5: 21-43

Mk 5: 21-24: Jesus is pleaded by Jairus to heal his daughter
Mk 5: 25-34: The woman suffering from haemorrhage is healed
Mk 5: 35-43: Jesus heals the daughter of Jairus

There are many similarities and contrasts between the “bread” – the outside layers and the “filling” – the inside layers in this ‘sandwich’ passage…

Age:

Jairus’ daughter is 12 years
The woman was suffering from haemorrhage for 12 years

Description of the Condition:

Jairus’ daughter at the point of death
The woman at the point of utter hopelessness

Status of the person:

Jairus is the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue
The woman with the problem of bleeding is an old widow

The support system for the suffering one:

Jairus’ daughter has many people to mourn – to weep and wail loudly
The widow is all alone in her suffering and agony

The place:

Jairus’ daughter is in her room, in the house
The woman with the haemorrhage is out on the crowded street

The mode of healing:

Jairus’ daughter is healed with a word, “Talitha Koum”
The suffering woman was healed by a “touch”

The title used by Jesus:

Jairus’ daughter is called by Jesus as ‘Little Girl’
The suffering woman is called by Jesus as ‘Daughter’

Some of the key messages of both these stories invite us to reflect on our own life…

1. Emphasis on Faith

Jairus, the father of the sick child, as well as the suffering woman display a tremendous faith and trust in Jesus

Do I also put my trust and hope in the Lord…
… even when situations are “dead-like” and there seems no hope in life?

2. Acts of humility

Jairus, as well as the suffering woman, make acts of humility, by falling at the feet of Jesus and pleading for mercy and help

Am I able to let go of my egoistic tendencies and be ready to fall at the feet of the Lord…
… seeking for His mercy, compassion and help?

3. The Lord being in perfect control

Jairus, as well as the suffering woman experience the charismatic power and control that Jesus displays even when throngs of pain, suffering and death are surrounding him.

Do I realise that even if there are crowds of humiliation and shame around me or mourners of discouragement and despair wailing loudly in my life…
… the Lord is still in perfect charge, if I surrender and offer my life to His tremendous power?

The “sandwich stories” of the day are a great invitation for us to move from a “Life of Fear” to a “Life of Faith”, trusting and putting our hope in the Lord and in His Mighty Power.

It is to be also noted that after the cure of Jairus’ daughter, the Lord asked her parents to “give her something to eat” (Mk 5: 43)

This is a strong reminder for us that after moving from a “Life of Fear” to a “Life of Faith”…
… we also need to sustain and nourish it by eating and consuming of the “Life of Fullness” in the Most Holy Eucharist!

Let us let go of every “Fear” in our lives, by having deeper “Faith” in the Lord…
… and enjoying the “Fullness” of healing and happiness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Respect for His Name is an expression of the respect owed to the mystery of God Himself…
… and to the whole sacred reality It evokes.

The sense of the sacred is part of the virtue of religion. (CCC # 2143)

“Growing in our conviction of our ‘belongingness’ to the Lord and being fearless and courageous in giving ‘external expression to our Faith!’”

(Based on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Day of Consecrated Life)

In a session, for a gathering of priests and religious – as part of the Day of Consecrated Life – the speaker asked:
“Can anyone please tell me in a word, what your idea of consecration is?”

An elderly sister, sitting right on the first row, stood up…

The speaker motioned to her… to answer

The sister – who had much experience in life working in mission areas- held out a blank sheet of paper…

And replied: “Consecration is nothing but to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet of paper…
… and let God fill it in, as He will
… and be joyful and at peace!”

That is indeed a beautiful way of understanding Consecration, isn’t it?

A total surrender to God’s Will and being joyful

A complete submission to God’s Ways and remaining at peace!

Today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord…
As Christians, we are reminded to grow in our “conviction of belonging to the Lord”…
… and to be fearless and courageous in allowing God to take complete control of our lives!

Today is also a day when we celebrate the ‘Consecrated Way of Life.’

Consecration is giving oneself to the Lord wholly.

Consecration is seeking to be pure – completely – in heart and mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents St Joseph and Mother Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple.
“When the days were completed for their purification, according to the Law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22)

We are on the 40th Day after Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus.

The Book of Exodus spoke of the need of this presentation and consecration of the first-born child…
“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb…

If your son ask you later on, ‘What does this mean’, you shall tell him, ‘ With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the land of slavery….'” (Ex 12: 2, 14)

The act of presentation in the Temple…
… represented fulfilling of God’s command
… recalled God’s deed of deliverance from slavery
… reminded the deep love of God for His people

The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, is also another reminder of the “ordinariness” of the Lord, in His Incarnation…

Jesus was known as the child of “ordinary” human parents!

He took birth and grew up in “ordinary” conditions and circumstances!
He lived His life in an “ordinary” family situation!

By Baptism, all of us are also consecrated to the Lord…

Some of us, have also made a deeper consecration by the profession of vows…

The meaning of this consecration, also, derives from the Consecration of the Lord…

We are “ordinary” by our sinful nature…
… yet the Lord exalts us to live a pure and holy life.

We are “ordinary” by our human nature…
… yet the Lord wishes to join with His Divine nature

We are “ordinary” in our deeds and works…
… yet the Lord wants to be His Kingdom partners

Our consecration…
… is a deep call and invitation to live a Holy Life
… is a loving obligation and sacred duty to be fully committed to Him

Each of us – whether single or in family life, whether a priest or a religious –
… ought to BELONG TO THE LORD AND TO HIM ALONE!

We are all consecrated and offered to the Lord.

Let us hold the hands of St Joseph and Mamma Mary, and renew our consecration to the Lord.

This is a day…
… to renew our commitment and zeal for the Lord
… to rekindle the fire of our love and faith in the Lord
… to restore our initial enthusiasm and interest for the Lord
… to revitalize our knowledge and comprehension of the Lord

Life will constantly take us to situations where we will face tough and hard moments.

Can we allow the Lord to fill the “papers of our life” – the canvas of our life – the way He wishes…
… and bowing before His Holy Will – say Yes to Him – and live in joy and peace?

May we grow in our conviction of our “belongingness” to the Lord…
… and be fearless and courageous in giving “external expression to our Faith!”

Yes, let us pray: “Lord, I belong to You and to You alone, Amen!”

Happy Feast to all of us, who are consecrated to the Lord, by our Baptism…
… specially to the Consecrated, by virtue of the evangelical vows!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: The Revealed Name of God.

God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. (CCC # 2143)