Embracing Purpose and Taking Action: Navigating Life’s Challenges
Life’s Journey: A Tapestry of Experiences
Life is an incredible journey filled with a tapestry of experiences. Some moments bring joy, while others present daunting challenges. It’s a path marked by triumphs and tribulations, and as we navigate this intricate landscape, it’s crucial to recognize the realities that shape our existence. In this blog post, we delve into the profound notion that embracing purpose and taking action are not just choices but obligations, particularly for those who follow the Catholic faith.
Acknowledging Reality
In the tapestry of life, we cannot escape the presence of challenges that test our resolve and stir our emotions. These challenges are not mere coincidences but deeply rooted in the essence of our existence. Suffering, injustice, and personal struggles are threads that weave together the fabric of our lives. The Catholic faith teaches us that these experiences, though painful, can also serve as sources of purification and growth, aligning us with the suffering of Christ on the cross.
Embracing Agency and Purpose
Amidst life’s challenges, we are not passive bystanders but active participants in the unfolding story of humanity. Our agency, our ability to make choices and take actions, becomes a beacon of hope in a world that often feels chaotic. Embracing agency means recognizing that we are endowed with the gift of free will, a reflection of divine love. Our purpose transcends mere existence; it beckons us to seek meaning, fulfillment, and connection. As Catholics, our purpose is deeply rooted in loving and serving God and our neighbors.
Our Role in Creating Positive Change
Recognizing the realities of life’s challenges and embracing our agency and purpose lay the foundation for a profound realization – we are not passive observers but active participants in the world’s transformation. Personal growth and collaboration with others become essential. We are part of a global community, interconnected in ways that transcend borders. Our role in creating positive change extends to every facet of life, from extending a helping hand to advocating for justice and promoting empathy and understanding.
Living Purposefully
Having acknowledged reality, embraced agency and purpose, and understood our role in creating positive change, we now embark on the act of living purposefully. Living purposefully begins with the profound recognition that our lives have a meaning far beyond the mundane. We are not mere wanderers; we are protagonists in a narrative that beckons us to contribute, to shape, and to inspire. To live purposefully is to embark on a conscious journey of self-improvement, aligning our choices with our principles and becoming living examples of the transformative power of faith.
In Conclusion:
In our exploration of embracing purpose and taking action amidst life’s challenges, we’ve delved into the heart of what it means to be human, to be agents of positive change, and to live in alignment with the teachings of the Catholic faith. Life’s tapestry is rich and complex, but through acknowledging reality, embracing agency and purpose, fulfilling our role in creating positive change, and living purposefully, we become beacons of hope, compassion, and unwavering faith in a world that seeks positive change.
As we conclude this exploration, may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of faith, agency, and purpose. May we continue to navigate life’s challenges with courage and conviction, always guided by the teachings of the Catholic faith and the belief that through our actions, we can weave a narrative of hope, love, and lasting change in the tapestry of existence.
The Beauty of God’s Creation and the Honoring of His Saints
The beauty of the sun is best appreciated not when it shines alone, but when it is joined by other celestial bodies such as the moon, planets, and everything else in the world that basks in its light. Similarly, the glory of God shines brightest when his creations join in it. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul says that the attributes of the unseen God are clearly seen and understood by what he has made. All physical and spiritual beauty proclaims the beauty of God.
Despite this truth, many Christians are scandalized by the concept of praising the spiritual qualities of God’s servants. They feel that God’s glory is diminished when the holiness of others is recognized. Some even go beyond reason and say, “There is no holy and good but God,” so no one should be called a saint. They quickly cite that Jesus himself said that no one is good except God, but often this is taken out of context. To be holy means to be exclusive or consecrated for God or to possess godly qualities. In the Scriptures, God’s people are called holy, such as the “holy nation,” “holy apostles,” or “holy prophets.” The Lord also says, “Regard the priest as holy because he offers the food of your God” (Leviticus 21:8). Even angels are considered holy (Mark 8:38).
Honoring and praising God’s creatures for their holiness and qualities does not take away from God’s glory, but rather magnifies it. It is not difficult to understand this truth because we know that in the ordinary course of things in the world, the excellence of a painter is seen in the beauty of his work, a musician in his music, a carver in his sculptures, and an engineer in his designs. Unless we honor the excellence of what is created, the excellence of the Creator cannot be recognized. Whenever we praise any good in a person, we praise the source of his or her good qualities. We are also inspired by the qualities we see in others because they further attest to our minds and hearts that excellence and goodness are truly possible in spite of everything.
In the letters to the Hebrews, it says, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (13:7). The reference here is to members of the Church who knew Christ before us and who met God face to face before us. We should always remember and consider their good qualities because they have finished the race and have received the crown. It is only fitting that their lives and good examples be celebrated. Honoring them is honoring Christ, in whose body they are parts.
God’s creatures are not rivals of His glory but are rather its manifestations. When we recognize the beauty and holiness in others, we are led to the source of that beauty and holiness, which is God. Let us then celebrate God’s glory in His creation and in the holiness of His saints. In doing so, we honor the Creator and are inspired to pursue the same beauty and holiness in our own lives.
How Personal Devotions Fit into Catholic Faith
As a Catholic, it’s essential to understand the different forms of prayer and worship within the Church. The highest form of worship is the Eucharist, or the Mass, which Catholics are called to participate in every Sunday and holy day of obligation. However, there are also personal devotions that individuals can choose to participate in to deepen their faith.
Personal devotions, such as the Rosary, Novena, and Way of the Cross, are not mandatory but can be a beneficial way to connect with God on a personal level. They are not meant to replace the Mass or other liturgical celebrations, but rather to supplement them.
It’s important to note that there are also beliefs and practices that are not part of the official teachings of the Church and may even be discouraged. For example, certain superstitious beliefs and practices related to baptism, marriage, death, and other aspects of life are not part of Catholic tradition and should be avoided.
Additionally, some people may have personal beliefs or practices that are not in line with Catholic teachings. These may include actions like nailing oneself to a cross on Good Friday or believing that God is dead on Holy Friday. Such practices are not part of Catholic tradition and do not reflect the true essence of the faith.
To be a true Catholic, one should focus on understanding the meaning and value of their life, their relationship with God and the Church, the Catholic prayers and sacraments, and moral standards. This is not something that can be achieved in a four-year course but is a lifelong journey of deepening one’s faith.
As a Catholic, you should continually seek the truth and allow it to guide your faith journey. Participating in the Mass and sacraments, engaging in personal devotions, and studying the Church’s teachings are all essential parts of this journey. By doing so, you can deepen your relationship with God and fully embrace the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith.
Faith: The Key to a Life of Abundant Grace
Faith is an essential aspect of the Catholic faith. It is the foundation on which our relationship with God is built, and the means by which we receive His abundant grace. Through faith, we are able to trust in God’s promises, obey His commandments, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
What is Faith?
Faith is a gift from God that enables us to believe in Him and His promises, even when we cannot see or understand them fully. It is a supernatural virtue infused by the Holy Spirit that allows us to put our trust in God and rely on His wisdom and power. Faith is not merely an intellectual assent to certain truths, but a personal relationship with God that transforms our lives.
The Importance of Faith
Faith is the means by which we are justified and saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is through faith that we are reconciled with God and become His children. Faith is also the means by which we receive the other sacraments of the Church, which are channels of grace that nourish our spiritual lives.
Furthermore, faith is the key to living a life of holiness and obedience to God’s will. It enables us to trust in God’s providence, even in the face of adversity, and to persevere in the midst of trials. Faith also helps us to love God and our neighbors more deeply, and to live a life of charity and service.
Cultivating and Strengthening Faith
Faith is a lifelong journey that requires constant cultivation and strengthening. Here are some ways to deepen our faith:
- Prayer and the Sacraments: Regular participation in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, confession, and prayer, strengthens our relationship with God and deepens our faith.
- Scripture: Regular reading and meditation on the Word of God helps us to know Him better and to understand His plan for our lives.
- Fellowship: Surrounding ourselves with other believers who share our faith helps to reinforce and strengthen our own faith.
- Service: Serving others in the name of Christ helps us to live out our faith and to see Christ in others.
Faith and Works
As Catholics, we understand that faith and works are intimately connected. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). This means that our faith must be accompanied by works of love and obedience to God’s will. Works of mercy and charity flow from our faith and demonstrate the reality of our love for God and our neighbor.
In conclusion, faith is a precious gift from God that enables us to live a life of grace and holiness. Let us strive to cultivate and strengthen our faith, and to live a life of loving service to God and others.
On Infant Baptism
Baptism is the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5). It is where we were born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5), and became sons and daughters of God in Jesus Christ by receiving the Spirit of the Son.
Coming home to the Father’s embrace (conversion) requires repentance or turning away from sin, because light and darkness cannot coexist. We cannot truly convert and continue sinning deliberately. Since, most likely, we, adults have already committed sins in different ways with number of times that can no longer be counted, it is necessary to a real conversion that we confess our sinfulness, declare our will to turn away from it, and pledge our allegiance and loyalty to the Lord.
In the case of infants and small children, this is not necessary because they are still considered innocent. This, however, should not be a reason for them not to be baptized, since this spiritual washing has its effect even without the consent of the child. It is not the same with an adult who had been baptized with an unrepentant heart. The latter is like a beast washed with clean water while soaked in the mire. The former, on the other hand, have no mud that needs to be washed off from their soul; but like everyone else, they need to be born again from above since “unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). It is the moral obligation of the Christian parents or guardians to make sure that a child is baptized as soon as possible, just as it is the moral obligation of the Jewish parents to circumcise their male babies (Leviticus 12:3). We know that the Jewish circumcision is a type of the Christian baptism (Colossians 2:11-12), and that fact explains a very important point. A faithful Jewish father will not say, “Let the child decide for himself whether he wants to be circumcised;” and neither will a faithful Christian father say the same if he understands what baptism really is.
The water of the Great Flood is a type of the baptismal water. Noah and his family passed through the flood in order to be saved. Just because they were all adults in the ark doesn’t mean they would leave all children behind had it happened that they had younger members in the family. Salvation is for all who are willing to accept it, but not only for them; it is also for their children (Acts 2:39). And even though we have not seen small children among those who were saved through the flood, we know, through commonsense, that those who passed over the Red Sea were individuals coming from all ages. All of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Corinthians 10:2).
We cannot say that babies don’t need to be baptized just because they have not sinned; or worse, that they should not be baptized because they cannot repent. “Death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come” (Romans 5:14). All of us are parts of the dead Adam. Unless we were reborn in the manner that God willed, we will remain dead and cannot approach God. We are to remain outside of Paradise like Adam.
As people of God, it is morally wrong for us to hinder the children from approaching the Father through Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:14). It is actually in them that God reigns since their hearts are still free from moral disobedience, and yet they need to be renewed because they were born with the flesh of the fallen Adam. We are to help the children grow in holiness, not only through mere words of instruction, inspiration, and discipline but with the help of real grace coming through the sacraments, starting with baptism.
The dead flesh that we inherited is real, the regeneration that we should undergo is real, and the elements that are involved in this washing are real. We are not speaking of symbols but of real things, and of real power coming from the treasure of merits which Christ gained for us on the cross, and we receive through the sacraments.
While adults need to decide that they will turn away from their old life before receiving the washing of rebirth, the infants don’t have this need since they have no old life to turn away from. Christian parents must ask baptism from the Church for their children and promise that they will guide them to a life that is worthy of God’s children.
Ang Kapurihan ng Tao
Kung iisipin, ang kagandahan ng araw ay lalong nakikilala hindi dahil solong-solo niya ito kundi dahil ipinahahayag ito ng mga nakikibahagi sa kagandan ng kanyang liwanag tulad ng buwan, mga planeta, at maging ng lahat ng bagay sa mundo na nasisinagan nito. Ganun din naman, ang karangalan ng Diyos ay lalong tumitingkad kapag nakikibahagi dito ang kanyang mga nilikha. Kaya sa sulat ni San Pablo sa mga Romano ay sinasabi niyang ang mga katangian ng di-nakikitang Diyos ay maliwanag na inihahayag ng kanyang mga ginawa.
Ang lahat ng kagandahang pisikal at espiritwal ay nagpapahayag ng kagandahan ng Diyos. Sa kabila ng katotohanang ito, maraming mga Cristiano ang naiiskandalo sa konsepto ng pagbibigay-papuri sa mga espiritwal na katangian ng mga lingkod ng Diyos. Pakiramdam nila ay naaagawan ng karangalan ang Diyos kapag nabibigyan ng pagkilala ang kabanalan ng ibang tao. May ilan pang lumalampas na sa hangganan ng katwiran sa pagsasabing, “Walang banal at mabuti kundi ang Diyos,” kaya hindi daw dapat tawaging Santo ang sinuman. Mabilis nila itong nasasabi dahil alam nilang si Jesus mismo ang nagsabi na walang mabuti kundi ang Diyos, pero madalas ay nagagamit ito sa maling konteksto. Ang pagiging banal ay tumutukoy sa pagiging eklusibo o konsagrado para sa Diyos o tumutukoy sa pagtataglay ng mga katangiang maka-Diyos. Sa mga Kasulatan mismo ay mababasang ang mga alagad ng Diyos ay banal at tinatawag na banal; halimbawa ay ang “banal na bayan”, “mga banal na apostol” o “mga banal na propeta”. Sinasabi rin ng Panginoon, “Ituring ninyong banal ang pari sapagkat siya ang naghahandog ng pagkain sa akin” (Levitico 21:8). At kahit ang mga anghel ay itinuturing din na banal (Marcos 8:38). Ang pagkilala at pagpaparangal sa mga nilalang dahil sa kanilang kabanalan at mga katangian ay hindi umaagaw sa karangalan ng Diyos kundi lalong nagpapahayag sa kadakilaan nito. Hindi naman mahirap unawain ang katotohanang ito dahil alam natin na sa pangkaraniwang takbo ng mga bagay sa mundo, ang kahusayan ng isang pintor ay nakikita sa kagandahan ng kanyang mga obra; ang isang musikero sa kanyang musika; ang isang manlililok ay sa kanyang mga rebulto, at ang isang inhenyero sa kanyang mga disenyo. Malibang maparangalan ang kahusayan ng mga nilikha, hindi rin mabibigyang-pagkilala ang kahusayan ng lumikha. Tuwing pinupuri natin ang anumang mabuti sa tao, pinupuri natin ang pinagmulan ng kanyang mabubuting katangian. Nagiging inspirasyon din natin ang mga katangiang nakikita natin sa iba dahil ang mga iyon ay lalong nagbibigay-patunay sa isip at puso natin na ang kahusayan at pagiging mabuti ay talagang posible sa kabila ng lahat. Sa mga sulat sa mga Hebreo ay sinasabi, “Alalahanin ninyo ang mga dating namumuno sa inyo, ang mga nagpahayag sa inyo ng salita ng Diyos. Isipin ninyo kung paano sila namuhay, at tularan ninyo ang kanilang pananampalataya sa Diyos” (13:7). Ang tinutukoy dito ay ang mga myembro ng Simbahan na nauna sa atin na makakilala kay Cristo at nauna na rin sa pakikipagtagpo sa Diyos nang harapan. Dapat laging alalahanin at isaalang-alang ang kanilang mabubuting katangian dahil natapos na nila ang paligsahan at tinanggap na nila ang korona. Nararapat lang na ang buhay nila at mabubuting halimbawa ay ipagdiwang. Ang pagpaparangal sa kanila ay pagpaparangal kay Cristo, kung kaninong katawan sila ay mga bahagi.
Kung pagninilayang mabuti, ang dahilan ng pagbaba ng Diyos ay para maitaas ang tao. Ang Anak ng Diyos ay may likas nang dangal at luwalhati kahit sa umpisa pa lang. Wala siyang kailangang patunayan. Hindi rin kailangang ibalik sa kanya ang mga ito dahil wala naman makakakuha sa kanya nito. Sa kabilang banda, “ang Anak ng Tao’y dapat magdanas ng matinding hirap” (Lucas 9:22) para patunayang karapat-dapat siya sa karangalan at kapangyarihang ipagkakaloob sa kanya. Ang pagiging Panginoon ni Jesus habang nasa sinapupunan ni Maria (Lucas 1:43) ay nakaugnay sa kanyang kalikasang Diyos habang ang pagiging Panginoon niya sa muling pagkabuhay ay nakaugnay sa kanyang tagumpay bilang Anak ng Tao. Ang karangalang kinikilala natin sa kanya ay hindi na lang dahil siya ang Anak ng Diyos kundi dahil bagamat nasa laman, nagawa niyang lampasan ang mga kahinaang hindi natin napagtagumpayan. Siya ang kampyon ng mga anak ng tao. Siya ang nagligtas sa ating kalikasan at nagbigay-karangalan sa ating uri. Nararapat lang na tanggapin niya ang pangalang higit sa lahat ng pangalan at kilalanin siya bilang Panginoon. Bagamat sinasamba natin siya bilang Anak ng Diyos, ang pagluhod at pagpupuri sa kanya ng lahat ng nasa langit, nasa lupa, at nasa ilalim ng lupa ay dahil sa kanyang tagumpay bilang Anak ng Tao. Sa ganitong paraan iniligtas at itinaas ng Diyos ang ating pagkatao, at ang kapurihan natin ang dito ay binibigyan niya ng diin. Kaya habang dumarami ang mga banal na kinikilala ng madla, lalong natutupad ang kalooban ng Diyos.
Holy Saturday
Tonight, the Church proclaims in singing the true meaning of the Passover. She rejoices in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, which freed us from the slavery of sin and death. This is the night that made it possible for us to enjoy life on earth and to reign with God in heaven. By dying, Christ destroyed our death, and by rising, He restored our life.
If only we understand the great gift that we are receiving tonight, we would want to stay awake, forgetting everything, and meditating on God’s wisdom and love, which He showed in his plan of salvation. God’s mind is not as simplistic as others might assume. Even before the foundation of the world — man have not yet committed the ancient fault — God already knew how He would save him.
God is love and, as Pope Francis said, Mercy is His name. His justice would not allow anything evil to go unpunished, but His love for man would also not allow Him to just let man be destroyed by sin. If this redemption would require God to be a man, so be it. Thus, the God-Man Jesus. He became part of Adam in order to accept the punishment for Adam. The Eternal One experienced death, the Author of the universal law was considered a criminal, the Source of life was murdered. Satan must have been celebrating when he saw Christ on the cross — dead. No one but God knew what was to happen next. Then, with glory, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, proclaiming victory against death, sin, and hell. With all authority and truth, He said, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), which means everything. Christ now is the Lord of all, the Master of all worlds. He did not use any supernatural power to avoid suffering, pain, and death; He experienced them all as human, maybe even with the physical sensitivity of a newborn, because His body was especially made for the purpose of suffering (read Hebrews 5:10); of going through hell for us. In fact, in the Gospel, it is said that while on the mount of Olives, an angel appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him (Luke 22:43), not to lessen his suffering but rather to enable Him to suffer more.
Jesus Christ is the Man. He was the only one who reached the unreachable star. And because of His courageous and life-giving love, He gave birth to us. We became children of God through Christ. Heaven is now open for us. We are no longer enemies of God. Death became a toothless wolf, a powerless monster. Instead of destroying us, pains and sufferings only help us become more Christ-like, perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. With Christ, risen from the dead, we overcome the world.
Image Credit: cardinalsblog.adw.org
Good Friday
Three o’clock in the first Good Friday afternoon, the creatures destroyed the Creator, the author of life died, but that is in order to overcome death once and for all.
Today, in a special way, we commemorate and hope to experience the reality of this mystery. God love humanity so much that in order to save man, He, in the Person of the Son, assumed humanity for himself so that he may bear in his body and in his spirit the punishment for man’s sin. That is something we would not be able to grasp and appreciate fully until we see God face to face.
Image: Credit to the owner
Maundy Thursday
It was on the first Maundy Thursday, the day before Christ died on the cross, that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Holy Order (ministerial priesthood) and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. On that day, Christ gave, in the form of bread and wine, his real flesh to eat and his real blood to drink. He did not do this without first making it clear to his disciples that he is the true bread from heaven, declaring solemnly that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:53-54).
In that institution, Jesus replaced the Passover bread with the True Bread and the Passover lamb with the Lamb of God, who is not to be sacrificed daily or yearly but has rather been offered to the Father, eternally, at the Altar of the Cross.
Before the introduction of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the Jews have been worshiping God in the Temple by offering two lambs every day, morning and evening, and by offering the Paschal Lamb on the eve of Passover every year. When Christ came, he said, “The hour is coming in which neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father” (John 4:21). Jesus was referring to the fulfillment of Malachi’s words through whom the Lord says, “From the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations” (Malachi 1:11). There is no pure offering in the sight of God than that of Christ himself, and the only way to do it in every place on earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting, is through the Sacrament of the Eucharist where the eternal Sacrifice is being brought in time and in space.
This is a mystery that we will continually appreciate, meditate on, and benefit from, until we reach heaven.
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Embracing Mercy and Love as the Path to Perfection
September 6, 2023 at 1:41 pm (Commentary) (Love, Mercy, Merits, Perfection)
In the teachings of Jesus found in the Bible, there are striking passages that invite us to contemplate the idea of perfection, particularly in the context of love and mercy. Matthew 5:48 encourages us to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect,” while Luke 6:36 advises us to “be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.” These verses, seemingly intertwined, raise a thought-provoking question: Is there a connection between being perfect and being merciful?
Digging deeper into this spiritual inquiry, we encounter the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Here, the concept becomes clearer. Mercy, an essential aspect of love, is not just a virtue but a pathway to perfection in the measurement of love. It’s not about reaching some unattainable state of flawlessness, but rather about embracing a life marked by compassion, kindness, and empathy.
One of the most compelling passages emphasizing this connection between mercy and perfection can be found in Matthew 19:21. Jesus tells a young man seeking perfection, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This demand for selflessness underscores the idea that true perfection, especially in the eyes of God, lies in acts of love and mercy.
So, how does being merciful lead us toward perfection, and what does it mean to “be shown mercy”?
Consider this: when we extend acts of mercy and love, we are not only helping others but also aligning ourselves with a higher spiritual purpose. The merciful heart is one that recognizes the needs and lacks in others and actively seeks to address them. In doing so, we become vessels of God’s love and grace, reflecting His divine nature.
The promise that “the merciful will be shown mercy” carries a profound message. It suggests that, as we strive to complete what is lacking in others through acts of compassion and love, our own imperfections are met with divine understanding and grace. In other words, the effort we put into making the world a more loving and merciful place is rewarded with the completion of what may be lacking in our own lives.
This interpretation aligns beautifully with the concept of Christ’s merits and grace, where our sincere efforts to love and show mercy are met with divine enhancement. Our journey toward perfection, therefore, is not about striving for an unattainable ideal but about living a life filled with love, compassion, and selflessness.
In conclusion, the parallel between being perfect and being merciful, as illuminated by these biblical passages, invites us to view perfection through the lens of love and mercy. It teaches us that our pursuit of perfection is intrinsically linked to our capacity to show compassion and kindness to others. The more we strive to complete what is lacking in others, the more we find our own imperfections addressed and perfected through the boundless mercy of God. In this way, we embark on a profound journey toward spiritual perfection, measured by the depth of our love and acts of mercy.
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