Gratitude & Thanksgiving

  Sharing Rev Fr Bobby’s* sermon as part of the Bible Pentecost Pilgrimage programme.  We were at Day 24, and Fr expounded on Gen 48 - the story of Jacob blessing his two grandsons Manasseh and Ephraim.   The link to Fr Bobby’s video sermon is  here     * Fr Thomas Bobby Emprayil VC,  Divine Glory Ministries, Manipur, India   After arriving in Egypt to survive the famine in Cannan, Jacob lived in the land of Egypt in the region of Goshen for 17 years, and his death drew near.     Apart from leaving instructions about his dying request to be buried with his ancestors in Canaan (Gen 47:30-31) , Jacob also requests for Joseph to bring his sons to him.   In the narrative in Gen 48 ,  Jacob surprised everyone by saying that the two sons of Joseph belong to him (Gen 48:5).       Fr pointed out three points:   (1)   EVEN WHEN WE DISQUALIFY OURSELVES, GOD ADOPTS US AS HIS CHILDREN...

  Fr Bobby’s* sermon helped me look at Jacob’s life carefully through the lens of faith, and helped me gleam important spiritual truths which would otherwise be lost on most of us readers if they were not being pointed out and taught to us.      A link to Fr’s sermon on video is here .  I have transcribed and organised the material, hope they are useful as reference to you as well.   *Fr Thomas Bobby Emprayil VC,  Divine Glory Ministries, Manipur, India   THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIN AND SUFFERING Jacob had deceived his blind father into giving him his deathbed blessings instead of rightfully to Esau his elder brother, from whom Jacob also cheated his birth-right.     Shortly after his father’s death, Jacob left Canaan to look for his mother’s brother, Laban.  There he took his uncle’s daughters (Leah, and then Rachel) as wives, and tolled as a shepherd.  For the 20 years he worked for Laban and he suffered much. ...

    Rev Fr Bobby Emprayil's* video sermon at Pentacost 2020 was shared to me.  I listened to it three times.     He very clearly and powerfully reminds us the importance of reading, pronouncing, proclaiming and sharing the Word of God for it to become operative in our lives, making it our Rhema.  He quoted numerous Scripture references as part of his reminder and I didnt want to forget these gems.   I transcribed his video message for reference - to reflect, remind and to share.    Below transcript for your reference and sharing with others too, many need to hear this message. (Please note it is not 100% word for word, but his key messages and Scripture references are intact). *  Fr Thomas Bobby Emprayil VC,  Divine Glory Ministries, Manipur, India             God’s words are Spirit and Life   The Logos is the Word of God.  Every word of God is full of life.   The...

    Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.  At Mass (yes, online during these COVID times), I am again reminded of the precious mystery of God’s inner life that He so lovingly and intimately reveals to us.  What a privilege it is for us human!     "The mystery of the Blessed Trinity is the mystery of the infinite generosity and infinite love that we find in the inner life of God."   I dug up my Theology notes to re-read, reflect and to share.  Below are excerpts from notes taken @Lecture by Rev Fr Michael Chan.   I hope you will find meaning and inspiration as we strive to deepen our understanding of our faith and our relationship with our Lord.       [Excerpts from notes of Rev Fr Michael Chan, 2016]   The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life.   It is one of the mysteries that are hidden in God which c...