
Message of Bishop Crispin Varquez, DD during the turnover ceremony of Balangiga Bells
Turnover of Balangiga Bells December 15, 2018 Balangiga, Eastern Samar

Turnover of Balangiga Bells December 15, 2018 Balangiga, Eastern Samar

By Msgr. Lope C. Robredillo, SThD Vicar General, Diocese of Borongan December 15, 2018, Church of St. Lawrence

Third Sunday of Advent Reading 1 ZEP 3:14-18A Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!Sing joyfully, O Israel!Be glad and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem!The LORD has removed the judgment against youhe has turned away your enemies;the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear.On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty savior;he will rejoice over you with gladness,and renew you in his love,he will sing joyfully because of you,as one sings at festivals. Reading 2 PHIL 4:4-7 Brothers and sisters:Rejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it again: rejoice!Your kindness should be known to all.The Lord is near.Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,make your requests known to God.Then the peace of God that surpasses all understandingwill guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Gospel LK 3:10-18 The crowds asked John the Baptist,“What should we do?”He said to them in reply,“Whoever has two cloaksshould share with the person who has none.And whoever has food should do likewise.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,“Teacher, what should we do?”He answered them,“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”Soldiers also asked him,“And what is it that we should do?”He told them,“Do not practice extortion,do not falsely accuse anyone,and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation,and all were asking in their heartswhether John might be the Christ.John answered them all, saying,“I am baptizing you with water,but one mightier than I is coming.I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floorand to gather the wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”Exhorting them in many other ways,he preached good news to the people.

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