ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS - Comments From the Chair 26 December 2020

#Oppressions #LiftingUpOurOppressions #Acts060810 #Matthew101722 #RelianceOnGod #TrappingsOfPowerAndMoney #DyingToOneself #TakeUpYourCross TOPIC: CAN YOU OVERCOME THE OPPRESSION YOU ARE EXPERIENCING? In today's first reading (ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59) and gospel reading (MATTHEW 10:17-22), it may seem odd to feature the first recorded martyr, St. Stephen, and Jesus telling his disciples, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” After just celebrating the birth of Christ, we are made aware that life must go on and we must again face the reality that we will be encountering situations and people who will be our scourge, or so it seems. This is the 263rd installment of our CFC quarantine contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on   / cfchrist   and Bong Arjonillo’s Facebook page]